Geographical Distribution of Cereals and Legumes

1. Cereals (Major Food Grains)

(a) Rice (Oryza sativa)

• Origin: Indo-Burma region.
• Global distribution: Asia (China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand), also Brazil, USA.
• India: Leading producer after China; major states → West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh.
• Climatic requirement: Tropical to subtropical, 20–35°C, high rainfall (>120 cm).

(b) Wheat (Triticum aestivum, T. durum)

• Origin: Fertile Crescent (Southwest Asia).
• Global distribution: USA, Canada, China, India, Russia, Australia, EU countries.
• India: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar.
• Climatic requirement: Cool season crop (10–25°C), low rainfall (50–100 cm).

(c) Maize (Zea mays)

• Origin: Central America (Mexico).
• Global distribution: USA (largest producer), China, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, India.
• India: Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh.
• Climatic requirement: Warm-season crop, 18–27°C, rainfall 50–100 cm.

(d) Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

• Origin: Fertile Crescent.
• Global distribution: Russia, Canada, Germany, Spain, USA, Australia.
• India: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh.
• Climatic requirement: Tolerant to cold and drought, 12–25°C.

(e) Millets

• Sorghum (Jowar) → India, Nigeria, Sudan, USA, China. In India: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana.
• Pearl millet (Bajra) → India, Nigeria, Niger. In India: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh.
• Finger millet (Ragi) → India, Africa. In India: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha.

2. Legumes (Pulse Crops)

(a) Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

• Origin: Near East (Turkey/Syria).
• Global distribution: India, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Australia.
• India: Madhya Pradesh (largest), Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh.
• Climatic requirement: Cool, dry season, 20–25°C.

(b) Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

• Origin: India.
• Global distribution: India, Myanmar, East Africa, Caribbean.
• India: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat.
• Climatic requirement: Tropical crop, 18–30°C.

(c) Lentil (Lens culinaris)

• Origin: West Asia/Mediterranean.
• Global distribution: Canada (largest), India, Turkey, Australia.
• India: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal.
• Climatic requirement: Cool-season crop.

(d) Field pea (Pisum sativum)

• Origin: Mediterranean region.
• Global distribution: Canada, China, Russia, India, USA.
• India: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Assam.

(e) Mungbean (Vigna radiata)

• Origin: India.
• Global distribution: India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand.
• India: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh.

(f) Urdbean (Vigna mungo)

• Origin: India.
• Global distribution: India, Myanmar, Pakistan.
• India: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra.

(g) Soybean (Glycine max)

• Origin: North-East China.
• Global distribution: USA, Brazil, Argentina, China, India.
• India: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan.
• Climatic requirement: Warm season, 20–30°C.

(h) Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

• Origin: Africa.
• Global distribution: Africa, Asia, Latin America.
• India: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra.

3. Quick Summary