Agriculture & Spice Plantations

Agriculture & Spice Plantations in Maharashtra

1. Introduction

Maharashtra, one of India's largest states, has a rich and diverse agricultural sector. From dryland farming in the Deccan Plateau to spice plantations in the Western Ghats, agriculture plays a vital role in the economy and culture of the region.

2. Major Agro-Climatic Zones in Maharashtra

• Konkan (Coastal Maharashtra) – High rainfall, ideal for rice, spices, and horticulture.
• Western Maharashtra – Irrigated belt, known for sugarcane and grapes.
• Vidarbha – Cotton and soybean dominated dryland region.
• Marathwada – Semi-arid, known for pulses and oilseeds.

3. Major Crops of Maharashtra

a) Food Crops

• Rice – Grown mainly in Konkan and Bhandara regions.
• Jowar (Sorghum) & Bajra (Pearl Millet) – Grown in drier regions like Marathwada and Vidarbha.
• Wheat – Rabi season crop in northern and western regions.
• Pulses – Tur (Pigeon pea), gram, moong widely cultivated.

b) Cash Crops

• Cotton – Vidarbha and Marathwada belt.
• Sugarcane – Western Maharashtra (Pune, Kolhapur, Satara).
• Oilseeds – Soybean and groundnut (especially in central Maharashtra).

c) Horticulture

• Mangoes – Alphonso (Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg), Kesar.
• Grapes – Nashik is India’s "Grape Capital."
• Pomegranates – Solapur, Sangli.
• Bananas – Jalgaon (also called "Banana City").
• Citrus fruits – Especially oranges from Nagpur.