Geographical Distribution of Commercial Crops & Condiments
Crop / Condiment |
Origin |
Major Producing States (India) |
Major Producing Countries (World) |
Remarks |
Cotton |
India (Indus-Gangetic region, Central Asia) |
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, Karnataka |
India, China, USA, Pakistan, Brazil |
Divided into long, medium, and short staple varieties |
Sugarcane |
India (Indo-Gangetic plains) |
Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar |
Brazil, India, China, Thailand, Pakistan |
Sub-tropical (UP, Bihar), Tropical (Maharashtra, Karnataka) |
Jute |
Indo-Bangladesh region |
West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, Meghalaya |
India, Bangladesh |
Requires hot, humid climate with alluvial soil |
Tea |
Assam, China |
Assam, West Bengal (Darjeeling, Dooars), Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris), Kerala |
China, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Vietnam |
Assam tea – black, Darjeeling tea – aromatic |
Coffee |
Ethiopia |
Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu |
Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Ethiopia |
Arabica – South India, Robusta – Kerala |
Tobacco |
America (introduced to India) |
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar |
China, Brazil, India, USA |
Virginia type – Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka |
Rubber |
South America (Amazon) |
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Tripura, Assam |
Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, India |
Equatorial crop; humid tropics |
Coconut |
South-East Asia |
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha |
Indonesia, Philippines, India, Sri Lanka |
Coastal belt crop; also in Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar |
Condiments / Spices
Spice / Condiment |
Origin |
Major Producing States (India) |
Major Producing Countries (World) |
Remarks |
Black Pepper |
Malabar Coast, Kerala |
Kerala, Karnataka (Coorg), Tamil Nadu |
Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Brazil |
“King of Spices” |
Cardamom |
Western Ghats, Kerala |
Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu |
Guatemala, India, Sri Lanka |
“Queen of Spices” |
Chilli |
Central & South America |
Andhra Pradesh (Guntur), Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh |
India, China, Mexico |
India is largest producer & exporter |
Ginger |
Southeast Asia |
Kerala, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, Odisha |
India, China, Nepal, Nigeria |
Used fresh & dried |
Turmeric |
India (South India) |
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha |
India, Bangladesh, China |
Nizamabad – “Turmeric City” |
Coriander |
Mediterranean region |
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh |
India, Morocco, Russia, USA |
Mostly rabi season crop |
Cumin (Jeera) |
Mediterranean & Middle East |
Rajasthan, Gujarat |
India, Syria, Iran, Turkey |
Arid/semi-arid climate required |
Fenugreek (Methi) |
Middle East & India |
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh |
India, Egypt, Iran |
Used as spice & leafy vegetable |
Mustard |
North-Western plains of India |
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana |
Canada, India, Russia |
Oilseed & condiment |
Clove |
Spice Islands (Indonesia) |
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka |
Indonesia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, India |
Small pockets in Western Ghats |
Nutmeg |
Spice Islands (Indonesia) |
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka |
Indonesia, Grenada, India |
Aromatic spice for baking & seasoning |
Cinnamon |
Sri Lanka, South India |
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka |
Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India |
Used in confectionery & flavoring |
Geographical Distribution of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (MAPs)
Plant / Crop |
Origin / Primary Centre |
Major Producing States (India) |
Major Producing Countries (World) |
Remarks / Uses |
Aloe Vera |
Arabian Peninsula |
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu |
India, Mexico, USA |
Used in cosmetics, medicine, gels |
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) |
India |
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat |
India, Nepal, Pakistan |
Root used for tonic, adaptogen |
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) |
India |
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala |
India, Nepal, Sri Lanka |
Brain tonic, memory enhancer |
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) |
India |
Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka |
India, Nepal, Bangladesh |
Medicinal herb, immunity booster |
Amla (Indian Gooseberry) |
India |
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh |
India |
Vitamin C-rich, medicinal & cosmetic use |
Lemongrass |
Southeast Asia |
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Karnataka |
India, Indonesia, Brazil |
Oil used in perfumery, aromatherapy |
Citronella |
Sri Lanka / Indonesia |
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala |
India, Indonesia, Brazil |
Oil used in perfumes, insect repellents |
Mint (Mentha spp.) |
Mediterranean / India |
Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan |
India, USA, China |
Leaf & oil used in food, medicine, fragrance |
Sandalwood |
India (Deccan Plateau) |
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala |
India, Australia, Indonesia |
Wood & oil used in perfumes, cosmetics |
Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis) |
Southeast Asia |
Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland |
India, Indonesia, Malaysia |
Resin used in perfumes & incense |
Peppermint |
Europe / India |
Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh |
USA, India, China |
Leaf & oil used in medicine, flavoring |
Vetiver (Khus) |
India |
Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat |
India, Haiti, Indonesia |
Root oil used in perfumery & aromatherapy |
Hibiscus |
India / Tropical Asia |
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh |
India, Egypt, Sudan |
Flowers used in cosmetics & beverages |
Chamomile |
Europe / Asia |
Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir |
Germany, Egypt, India |
Flowers used in tea, cosmetics, medicine |