Crop Productivity and Suitability Analysis

Crop productivity and suitability evaluation form a prerequisite for land use planning. Soil properties and agro-climatic conditions further influence crop performance. This chapter examines crop productivity and suitability in view of agro-ecological conditions and soil properties. Time series data of major crops were gathered from secondary sources, and their mean value was obtained. Furthermore, district-wise crop productivity of the major crops were analyzed, and suitability criteria were evaluated. It has been observed that crop productivity is low in the mountainous mainland in comparison to the plain districts; however, it varies from crop to crop. Our study further revealed that the highlands are suitable for growing potato, small millets, pulses, and temperate fruits, whereas valley regions are suitable for growing citrus fruits, paddy, wheat, and spices. Tarai and Doon plains are suitable for growing sugarcane, paddy, and wheat.