Agro-Climatic Regional Planning
- Initiation: It was initiated in 1988 by the Planning Commission of India under the Seventh Five Year Plan.
- Objective: The regional planning was implemented on the basis of agro-climatic factors to ensure balanced regional growth across India.
- Planning Authority: The Planning Commission is headed by the Prime Minister of India.
Planning Commission
- Established: 1950 by the Government of India.
- Objective: Formulate and oversee Five-Year Plans for balanced economic development.
- Structure: Headed by the Prime Minister.
- Key Functions:
- Formulated Five-Year Plans.
- Allocated resources to various sectors and states.
- Monitored and evaluated plan implementation.
- Abolition: Dissolved in 2014, replaced by NITI Aayog.
NITI Aayog
- Established: 1st January 2015.
- Objective: Promote cooperative federalism and sustainable development.
- Structure: Headed by the Prime Minister, includes Vice Chairman, Members, and CEOs.
- Key Functions:
- Provides strategic advice for policy formulation.
- Monitors and evaluates government programs.
- Focuses on innovation, research, and sustainable growth.
- Promotes collaborative partnerships between central and state governments.
Agro-Climatic Zones (ACZ)
Definition: Agro-climatic zones are regions classified based on climatic conditions like temperature, rainfall, and humidity, which directly affect agriculture and farming practices.
Classification in India:
- According to the Planning Commission, India is divided into 15 agro-climatic zones.
- According to NARP (National Agricultural Research Project)/ ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), India is divided into 131 agro-climatic zones.
Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ)
- Definition: Agro-ecological zones are defined based on a combination of ecological factors, including climate, soil types, topography, vegetation, and hydrological conditions. This classification looks at a wider set of ecological factors beyond just the climate.
Classification in India:
- According to NBSS&LUP (National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning), Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. India is divided into 21 agro-ecological zones.
- According to ICAR, India is divided into 8 agro-ecological zones.
Key Differences
Focus:
- Agro-climatic zones focus mainly on climatic factors and the growing season.
- Agro-ecological zones consider a broader range of environmental factors, including soils and topography.
Purpose:
- Agro-climatic zones aim to help in crop selection and farming practices based on climate.
- Agro-ecological zones help in land use planning, conservation, and sustainable farming by understanding the entire ecological environment.
Agro-Climatic Zones of India
S.No | Agro-Climatic Zone | States Included | Climate Description | Annual Rainfall (mm) | Main Crops |
1 | Western Himalayan Region | Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand | Cool and humid climate with significant temperature variations due to altitude. Summers are mild, while winters can be severe with heavy snowfall. | 1,000–2,000 | Wheat, maize, barley, fruits (apples, pears), and vegetables (potatoes, peas). |
2 | Eastern Himalayan Region | Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, parts of West Bengal | Humid and sub-humid climate with heavy rainfall, especially during the monsoon season. The region experiences a mild summer and cool winter. | 1,500–3,000 | Rice, maize, millets, tea, and various horticultural crops. |
3 | Lower Gangetic Plains Region | West Bengal | Moist humid to dry humid climate with hot summers and mild winters. The region is prone to flooding during monsoons. | 1,200–1,800 | Rice, jute, sugarcane, pulses, and oilseeds. |
4 | Middle Gangetic Plains Region | Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh | Moist sub-humid to dry sub-humid climate with hot summers and cool winters. The region has fertile alluvial soil, making it suitable for diverse cropping. | 1,000–1,500 | Rice, wheat, maize, pulses, and oilseeds. |
5 | Upper Gangetic Plains Region | Western and Central Uttar Pradesh | Dry sub-humid to semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The region benefits from extensive irrigation facilities. | 800–1,200 | Wheat, rice, sugarcane, and pulses. |
6 | Trans-Gangetic Plains Region | Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, parts of Rajasthan | Semi-arid to dry sub-humid climate with hot summers and cool winters. The region has well-developed irrigation systems, supporting intensive agriculture. | 500–1,000 | Wheat, rice, maize, and cotton. |
7 | Eastern Plateau and Hills Region | Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, parts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh | Moist sub-humid to dry sub-humid climate with moderate rainfall. The region has undulating terrain with red and lateritic soils. | 1,000–1,400 | Rice, millets, pulses, and oilseeds. |
8 | Central Plateau and Hills Region | Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan | Semi-arid to dry sub-humid climate with hot summers and cool winters. The region has mixed red and black soils, suitable for diverse cropping. | 600–1,000 | Wheat, sorghum, millets, and pulses. |
9 | Western Plateau and Hills Region | Maharashtra, parts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan | Semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. The region has black cotton soil, ideal for certain cash crops. | 500–1,000 | Cotton, sorghum, millets, and pulses. |
10 | Southern Plateau and Hills Region | Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu | Semi-arid to dry sub-humid climate with moderate rainfall. The region has diverse soils, supporting various cropping systems. | 800–1,200 | Millets, pulses, oilseeds, and cotton. |
11 | East Coast Plains and Hills Region | Coastal regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu | Semi-arid to dry sub-humid climate with hot summers and moderate to high rainfall during monsoons. The region is prone to cyclones. | 1,000–1,500 | Rice, millets, pulses, and oilseeds. |
12 | West Coast Plains and Ghats Region | Coastal regions of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala | Humid climate with heavy rainfall, especially during the monsoon season. The region has lateritic and alluvial soils. | 2,000–3,000 | Rice, coconut, cashew, and spices. |
13 | Gujarat Plains and Hills Region | Gujarat | Semi-arid to arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. The region has diverse soils, including black cotton soil. | 500–1,000 | Cotton, groundnut, millets, and pulses. |
14 | Western Dry Region | Western Rajasthan | Arid climate with extreme temperatures and very low rainfall. The region has sandy soils and is prone to droughts. | <500 | Millets, pulses, and drought-resistant crops. |
15 | Island Region | Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep | Humid tropical climate with heavy rainfall and warm temperatures year-round. The region has sandy and loamy soils. | 2,500–3,500 | Coconut, rice, and tropical fruits. |
Agro-Ecological Zones of India
AEZ No. | Agro-Ecological Zone Name | States/Regions Covered | Climate Characteristics | Soil Types | Predominant Crops |
1 | Western Himalayas | Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand | Cold arid to warm sub-humid; rainfall varies from <150 mm to 2000 mm | Shallow to deep soils | Wheat, Maize, Paddy, Potato |
2 | Western Plain, Kutch & Part of Kathiawar Peninsula | Western Rajasthan, Southwest Haryana, parts of Gujarat | Hot arid; rainfall 100–500 mm; high PET | Desert soils, saline/alkaline soils | Bajra, Gram, Wheat, Mustard |
3 | Deccan Plateau, Hot Arid Region | Parts of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka | Hot arid; rainfall 400–500 mm; high PET | Red and black soils | Jowar, Bajra, Pulses |
4 | Northern Plain and Central Highlands, Hot Semi-Arid Region | Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Eastern Rajasthan, Western Uttar Pradesh, Northern Madhya Pradesh | Hot semi-arid; rainfall 500–1000 mm; moderate PET | Alluvial soils, sandy loam | Wheat, Rice, Sugarcane, Cotton |
5 | Central Highlands, Hot Semi-Arid Region | Eastern Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat | Hot semi-arid; rainfall 600–900 mm; moderate PET | Medium deep black soils | Soybean, Wheat, Sorghum |
6 | Deccan Plateau, Hot Semi-Arid Region | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana | Hot semi-arid; rainfall 600–1000 mm; moderate PET | Shallow to medium black soils | Cotton, Jowar, Bajra, Pulses |
7 | Deccan Plateau, Hot Moist Semi-Arid Region | Parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu | Hot moist semi-arid; rainfall 700–1100 mm; moderate PET | Red and black soils | Rice, Groundnut, Millets |
8 | Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu Uplands, Hot Moist Semi-Arid Region | Tamil Nadu, parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh | Hot moist semi-arid; rainfall 800–1200 mm; moderate PET | Red loamy soils | Rice, Ragi, Groundnut |
9 | Northern Plain, Hot Sub-Humid Region | Uttar Pradesh, Bihar | Hot sub-humid; rainfall 1000–1200 mm; moderate PET | Alluvial soils | Rice, Wheat, Sugarcane |
10 | Central Highlands, Malwa and Bundelkhand, Hot Sub-Humid Region | Madhya Pradesh, parts of Uttar Pradesh | Hot sub-humid; rainfall 1000–1200 mm; moderate PET | Medium and deep black soils | Soybean, Wheat, Chickpea |
11 | Eastern Plateau, Chhattisgarh, Hot Sub-Humid Region | Chhattisgarh, parts of Odisha, Maharashtra | Hot sub-humid; rainfall 1200–1600 mm; moderate PET | Red and yellow soils | Rice, Maize, Pulses |
12 | Eastern Plateau, Chotanagpur, Hot Sub-Humid Region | Jharkhand, parts of West Bengal, Odisha | Hot sub-humid; rainfall 1100–1500 mm; moderate PET | Red loamy soils | Rice, Maize, Pulses |
13 | Eastern Plain, Hot Sub-Humid Region | Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar | Hot sub-humid; rainfall 1200–1400 mm; moderate PET | Alluvial soils | Rice, Wheat, Sugarcane |
14 | Western Himalayas, Warm Sub-Humid Region | Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand | Warm sub-humid; rainfall 1600–2000 mm; exceeds PET | Brown forest and podzolic soils | Wheat, Maize, Barley |
15 | Assam and Bengal Plains, Hot Humid Region | Assam, West Bengal | Hot humid; rainfall 1400–2000 mm; high humidity | Alluvial soils | Rice, Jute, Tea |
16 | Eastern Himalayas, Warm Humid Region | Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, parts of Assam and West Bengal | Warm humid; rainfall >2000 mm; occurs throughout the year | Brown hill soils | Rice, Maize, Millet |
17 | North-Eastern Hills, Purvanchal, Warm Humid Region | Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya | Warm humid; rainfall 1600–2600 mm; exceeds PET | Red and lateritic soils | Rice, Maize, Pulses |
18 | Eastern Coastal Plain, Hot Sub-Humid Region | Coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha | Hot sub-humid; rainfall 1000–1600 mm; moderate PET | Alluvial and coastal sandy soils | Rice, Groundnut, Coconut |
19 | Western Ghats and Coastal Plain, Hot Humid Region | Western coastal regions of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala | Hot humid; rainfall >2000 mm; high humidity | Red laterite and alluvial soils | Rice, Coconut, Spices |
20 | Islands of Andaman, Nicobar, and Lakshadweep, Hot Humid Region | Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep | Hot humid; rainfall 1600–3000 mm; occurs throughout the year | Red loam to sandy loam soils | Coconut, Arecanut, Tropical Fruits |
