Crop Pattern Changes in India Over the Last 5 Years (2020–2025)

India’s agricultural landscape has undergone significant transformations in cropping patterns over the last five years (2020–2025), driven by evolving consumption demands, market forces, climate variability, technological advancements, and government policies. These shifts reflect a move away from traditional cereal-dominated farming toward diversified, commercially oriented, and sustainable agricultural practices. This article explores the key changes in India’s cropping patterns, their drivers, impacts, and challenges, providing a comprehensive overview for stakeholders and policymakers.

Overview of Cropping Patterns in India

Cropping patterns refer to the proportion, sequence, and distribution of crops grown in a specific area over time. In India, these patterns are shaped by the Kharif (monsoon, June–September), Rabi (winter, October–March), and Zaid (summer, March–June) cropping seasons. Historically, rice and wheat have dominated due to their role as staple foods, but recent years have seen a shift toward pulses, oilseeds, horticultural crops, and cash crops in response to economic, environmental, and policy factors.

Key Changes in Cropping Patterns (2020–2025)

1. Shift Toward Pulses and Oilseeds

• Increased Cultivation: The area under pulses (e.g., tur, urad, moong) and oilseeds (e.g., soybean, groundnut, mustard) has grown significantly. Oilseed production increased by nearly 43% from 2015–16 to 2020–21, with the trend continuing into 2025 due to reduced imports from Southeast Asia and higher domestic demand. Pulses production has also risen, particularly in states like Madhyaascape">Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.

• Drivers:

  • Government Policies: Initiatives like the National Food Security Mission for Pulses and the Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm, and Maize (ISOPOM) have provided subsidies, credit facilities, and Minimum Support Prices (MSP), encouraging farmers to grow these crops.

  • Market Demand: Rising consumer demand for protein-rich and edible oil products has driven cultivation, with pulses like moong and urad gaining prominence.

  • Climate Resilience: Pulses, being leguminous crops, fix nitrogen in the soil, improving fertility and reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, making them attractive in rainfed areas.

2. Expansion of Horticultural Crops

• Growth in Area and Production: Horticultural production surpassed foodgrain production in 2022–23, reaching 351.92 million tonnes compared to 329.69 million tonnes for foodgrains. Fruits and vegetables, including exotic crops like avocados and kiwis in Himachal Pradesh, have seen increased cultivation.

• Drivers:

  • Changing Consumption Patterns: Urbanization and rising disposable incomes have boosted demand for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables.

  • Policy Support: Government schemes, such as the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, have improved access to quality seeds and technology.

  • Export Potential: Globalization has opened international markets, encouraging farmers to grow high-value crops.

• Impact: Horticulture now accounts for a significant share of agricultural output, contributing to improved farmer incomes and dietary diversity.

3. Decline in Coarse Cereals and Shift to Cash Crops

• Reduction in Coarse Cereals: The area under coarse cereals like jowar, bajra, and ragi has declined in favor of cash crops such as cotton, sugarcane, and soybean, particularly in states like Maharashtra and Karnataka. For instance, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, transitioned from jowar and bajra to cotton-dominated landscapes.

• Increase in Cash Crops: Cotton acreage in Central India is projected to decline by ~10% in 2025, with farmers shifting to maize and groundnut due to low cotton yields and high costs. However, sugarcane cultivation has expanded, especially in water-stressed regions like Maharashtra, despite environmental concerns.

• Drivers:

  • Economic Incentives: Higher MSPs and market prices for cash crops incentivize farmers to prioritize them over coarse cereals.

  • Contract Farming: Arrangements with agribusiness firms have encouraged crops like cotton and sugarcane with assured markets.

  • Technological Adoption: High-yield variety (HYV) seeds and mechanization have made cash crops more viable.

• Impact: While cash crops boost incomes, they increase water and input demands, raising sustainability concerns.

4. Rise in Organic and Natural Farming

• Growing Adoption: The preference for chemical-free food has led to increased organic farming, particularly for pulses, vegetables, and horticultural crops in states like Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.

• Drivers:

  • Consumer Awareness: Demand for healthier, sustainable food options has risen with growing health consciousness.

  • Government Support: Schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana promote organic farming through subsidies and training.

• Impact: Organic farming enhances soil health and reduces environmental degradation but faces challenges like lower initial yields and certification costs.

5. Regional Diversification

• State-Specific Trends:

  • Punjab and Haryana: Continued dominance of rice-wheat monocropping, but with slight diversification toward maize and pulses due to soil degradation and groundwater depletion.

  • West Bengal: Shift from rice-dominated systems to include potatoes, jute, and oilseeds, driven by market demand and irrigation improvements.

  • Madhya Pradesh: Transition from soybeans to rice and wheat, influenced by MSP and irrigation expansion.

• Drivers: Improved irrigation, soil-specific crop choices, and government policies have enabled regional shifts.

• Impact: Diversification improves resilience but is limited in rainfed areas where coarse cereals remain prevalent.

Key Drivers of Change

1. Climate Change:

   • Erratic monsoons and extreme weather have pushed farmers toward climate-resilient crops like pulses and millets. Projections indicate maize yields may decrease by 18% by 2050, and wheat by 19.3%, prompting diversification.

   • Water scarcity has driven shifts from water-intensive crops (e.g., paddy, sugarcane) to water-efficient crops like pulses and oilseeds in drought-prone areas.

2. Market Dynamics:

   • E-marketplaces and contract farming align cropping patterns with national and global demands, reducing reliance on local markets.

   • Declining prices for crops like cotton have led to shifts toward maize, supported by MSP and ethanol demand.

3. Technological Advancements:

   • Adoption of HYV seeds, drip irrigation, and mechanization has enabled cultivation of non-traditional crops in new regions.

   • Data-driven tools, like those developed by WELL Labs, provide insights into crop trends, aiding informed decision-making.

4. Government Interventions:

   • MSP increases for Kharif and Rabi crops (2023–24) have incentivized rice, wheat, and pulses.

   • Subsidies for irrigation and crop insurance have supported diversification, though MSP-driven monoculture persists in some regions.

5. Socio-Economic Factors:

   • Urbanization and population growth have reduced cultivable land, pushing intensive farming and high-value crops.

   • Farmer knowledge and access to advisory services have influenced crop choices, especially in rainfed areas.

Impacts of Cropping Pattern Changes

• Positive Impacts:

  • Economic Gains: Higher incomes from cash and horticultural crops improve farmer livelihoods.

  • Food Security: Increased pulses and horticultural production enhance dietary diversity and nutrition.

  • Soil Health: Crop rotation and leguminous crops improve soil fertility, reducing fertilizer use.

• Challenges:

  • Environmental Stress: Water-intensive crops like sugarcane in Maharashtra consume 71.5% of irrigated water, exacerbating groundwater depletion.

  • Sustainability Concerns: Monocropping and chemical overuse in rice-wheat systems degrade soil health.

  • Economic Risks: Price volatility for cash crops like cotton can lead to farmer distress, as seen in Central India.

  • Climate Vulnerability: Kharif crops remain susceptible to monsoon variability, with rainfed rice yields projected to drop 20% by 2050.

Challenges in Adapting to New Patterns

1. Water Scarcity: Overreliance on groundwater for cash crops threatens long-term sustainability, particularly in Punjab and Maharashtra.

2. Smallholder Constraints: Small landholdings limit diversification, as subsistence farming prioritizes foodgrains.

3. Knowledge Gaps: Limited access to modern farming techniques and market information hinders adoption of new crops.

4. Policy Imbalance: MSP-focused policies promote rice and wheat, discouraging diversification in some regions.

5. Climate Risks: Unpredictable weather patterns challenge crop planning, especially for rainfed farmers.

Recommendations for Sustainable Cropping Patterns

1. Promote Water-Efficient Crops: Incentivize millets, pulses, and oilseeds through higher MSPs and subsidies to reduce water stress.

2. Enhance Farmer Education: Expand agricultural advisory services and digital tools to guide crop choices based on local conditions.

3. Strengthen Irrigation Infrastructure: Invest in micro-irrigation systems to support diverse crops in rainfed areas.

4. Balance MSP Policies: Extend MSP to a broader range of crops to encourage diversification and reduce monoculture.

5. Support Organic Farming: Scale up schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana to meet growing demand for chemical-free produce.

6. Leverage Technology: Promote precision agriculture and data analytics (e.g., WELL Labs tools) to optimize crop selection and yields.

Conclusion

Over the last five years, India’s cropping patterns have shifted from cereal-dominated systems to diversified portfolios including pulses, oilseeds, horticultural crops, and cash crops. These changes, driven by climate variability, market demands, technology, and policy interventions, reflect the adaptability of Indian agriculture. While diversification offers economic and nutritional benefits, challenges like water scarcity, climate risks, and policy biases toward rice and wheat persist. By promoting sustainable practices, enhancing farmer support, and balancing incentives, India can ensure its agricultural sector remains resilient and productive, securing food security and livelihoods for the future.

Call to Action: Farmers, policymakers, and researchers should collaborate to adopt data-driven, climate-smart practices. Explore resources like the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (desagri.gov.in) and join platforms like Testbook for comprehensive agricultural insights to stay ahead in this dynamic landscape.