Describe the geographical conditions required for the growth of rice.
Answer:
Rice is a staple food crop of India and requires specific climatic and soil conditions for cultivation:
Climate:
- Grows well in hot and humid climates.
- Requires a temperature above 25°C during growth.
- Needs high rainfall (100 cm or more), but irrigation can support it in drier areas.
Soil:
- Prefers fertile alluvial soil found in river valleys and deltas.
- Clayey soil with good water retention is ideal.
Topography:
- Rice grows best in lowland, delta, and coastal plains.
- Terraced fields are used in hilly regions like Northeast India.
Major Producing States:
- West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are leading producers.
Rice cultivation is labor-intensive and relies heavily on monsoon rains and irrigation facilities in dry areas. 🌾💧