Rice cultivation in India is largely confined to certain regions, yet it is also grown in states like Punjab…

Question

Rice cultivation in India is largely confined to certain regions, yet it is also grown in states like Punjab and Haryana that receive far less rainfall than required. Explain the geographical conditions necessary for rice cultivation and how irrigation has enabled its spread to drier regions, while also identifying two leading rice-producing states.

Accepted Answer

## Model Answer **Geographical Conditions for Rice Cultivation:** Rice is a kharif crop requiring high temperature (above 25°C), high humidity, and annual rainfall above 100 cm. It grows best in the plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas, and deltaic regions. **Role of Irrigation:** In areas of low rainfall like Punjab and Haryana, a dense network of canal irrigation and tubewells has made rice cultivation possible, enabling its spread to drier regions. **Two Leading Rice-Producing States:** West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh (also Assam, Andhra Pradesh). *Source: Major Crops, Chapter 4* --- ## Explanation - Examiner expects three clear parts: conditions, irrigation role, and two states — each fetching 1 mark. - Quote the exact figures: "above 25°C" and "above 100 cm" — these are frequently asked. - Mention canal irrigation and tubewells specifically; the textbook uses both terms. - Any two correct states from the listed rice-growing regions will earn the mark.

Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question