Mod 3: Crop Production and the Leading States

📖 Chapter 4A 🧩 Module 3 of 7 📚 3 topics ⏱️ ~14 min read 💡 25 MCQs

Topic 1 · Foodgrains, wheat and rice — records and leading states Part 1 of 2

Ch 4A · Module 3 — Crop Production and the Leading States

TOPIC 1 OF 3

4A.3.1 Foodgrains, wheat and rice — records and leading states

🏫 School → 🇮🇳 UPSC · NCERT-linked · latest official data

School
Class 10+2
BPSC
UPSC

Class levelClass 10 → UPSC

Time≈ 35 minutes

NCERT linkClass 10 Geography Ch 4 (rice, wheat) · Class 12 India: People & Economy Ch 5

Builds onTopic 4A.2.3

Today’s class — by the end you will be able to

Quote India’s latest foodgrain, wheat and rice output.
Rank the leading states for each — then and now.
Know the estimate cycle (advance → final).
Explain why India is “near self-sufficient” in food.

Warm-up · think first

A 2022 BPSC answer key said “West Bengal” for the top rice state. A 2026 key says “Uttar Pradesh”. Who is right?

Show answer

Both — for their years. Rankings change with every crop year, so always ask: which year’s data? In 2021-22 West Bengal led; in 2023-24 Telangana; in 2024-25 and 2025-26 Uttar Pradesh.

AHow production is estimated

The Ministry publishes estimates in rounds. Exam questions name the round.

THE ESTIMATE CYCLE

Fig 4A.11 Earlier there was also a 4th AE (e.g., wheat 2020-21: 109.52 MT). The latest round for 2025-26 is the 3rd AE of 27 May 2026.

376.56 MT

foodgrains 2025-26

3rd AE, record

120.66 MT

wheat 2025-26

3rd AE, record

154.02 MT

rice 2025-26

3rd AE, record

357.73 MT

foodgrains 2024-25

final

📌 Solves: Q41 (wheat 2020-21, 4th AE = 109.52 MT)

BWheat — output and states

Wheat output has crossed 120 MT. Uttar Pradesh leads by a wide margin.

WHEAT PRODUCTION (million tonnes)

Fig 4A.12 Final estimates; *2025-26 third advance estimate.

TOP WHEAT STATES, 2024-25 FINAL (million tonnes)

Fig 4A.13 In 2025-26 (3rd AE) the order is UP > MP > Punjab > Rajasthan > Haryana.

Q42 (UPPCS Mains 2012): among Haryana, MP, Rajasthan, Bihar the descending order then was Haryana > MP > Rajasthan > Bihar (option a). Today MP is far ahead of Haryana — so the key is marked (*).

📌 Solves: Q41, Q42

CheckQuick check: Who is India’s top wheat producer?

Uttar Pradesh (35.65 MT in 2024-25).

CRice — a changing leader

Rice is where rankings move most. Learn three years.

Top rice states by year

Year	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
2021-22	West Bengal	UP	Punjab	—
2023-24	Telangana	UP	—	—
2024-25 (final)	UP 20.76 MT	Telangana 17.45	West Bengal 16.02	Punjab 14.36
2025-26 (3rd AE)	UP 19.81 MT	Telangana 18.53	West Bengal 17.14	Punjab

UPAg portal; Lok Sabha USQ 916 (23 July 2026). 1 MT = 10 lakh tonnes.

RICE, 2025-26 THIRD ADVANCE ESTIMATE (lakh tonnes)

Fig 4A.14 Values in lakh tonnes (198.05 lakh t = 19.81 MT).

Q43: ascending order of Punjab, UP, AP, WB was AP < Punjab < UP < WB (option d) in the question period; with 2024-25 data no option fits → (e).

📌 Solves: Q43, Q44

CheckQuick check: Largest rice producer in 2021-22?

West Bengal.

DFoodgrains — UP on top, near self-sufficiency

One state produces about a sixth of India’s foodgrains.

Uttar Pradesh — top foodgrain state

Year	Output	Share of India
2023-24	60.29 MT	18.14%
2024-25	63.85 MT	17.85%
2025-26 (3rd AE)	65.31 MT	17.34%

🧮 Try it — what share of India?

State output (MT)India output (MT)

Share = state ÷ India × 100.

Assertion

India is near self-sufficient in foodgrains.

Reason

Output grew from 50.8 MT (1950-51) to 211.9 MT (2001-02) — over four times — so bulk imports stopped; food imports were only 4.5% of imports in 2001-02.

Verdict

Both true; R explains A → (a).

📌 Solves: Q40, Q56

Students ask, teacher answers

🙋 StudentWhy does UP’s share fall even as its output rises?

👩‍🏫 Teacher

Other states grew faster; India’s total grew from 332 MT to 377 MT.

🙋 StudentIs “self-sufficiency” the same as food security?

👩‍🏫 Teacher

No — see Chapter 4B: households also need access and affordability.

Common traps

Punjab is the top wheat producer.

UP; Punjab is third.

West Bengal is the top rice state now.

UP (2024-25, 2025-26).

Practice ladder — climb level by level

🏫 School level

1 markWhich state leads foodgrain production?

Uttar Pradesh.

🎓 Class 10+2 level

2 marksName the top three rice states in 2025-26 (3rd AE).

UP, Telangana, West Bengal.

🏛️ BPSC level

PYQ patternWheat production 2020-21 (4th AE)? (a) 109.5 MT (b) 209.5 (c) 501.5 (d) 20123

(a) 109.5 MT.

🇮🇳 UPSC level

Prelims1. India’s foodgrain output in 2025-26 (3rd AE) is about 377 MT. 2. Telangana is the largest rice producer in 2025-26. Which is correct?

1 only. UP leads rice in 2025-26.

💡 Exam tip: Always write the year and the estimate round next to a state ranking.

Previous-year questions solved in this topic (6)

Q56 · Q42 · Q41 · Q43 · Q40 · Q44

Arranged in chronological order of exam year in the Questions panel →

Homework / activity

Make a three-row card: foodgrains / wheat / rice → India total + top state (2025-26).

Exit ticket — tick what you can do

I know India’s foodgrain, wheat and rice records.
I can rank top wheat and rice states.
I know how the estimate cycle works.

60-second recap

Foodgrains: 357.73 MT (2024-25 final) → 376.56 MT (2025-26 3rd AE).
Wheat: 117.95 → 120.66 MT; UP > MP > Punjab.
Rice: 150.18 → 154.02 MT; UP > Telangana > WB.
UP: ≈17–18% of India’s foodgrains.
Wheat 2020-21 4th AE 109.52 MT.

Where this lesson comes from

Ministry of Agriculture & FW — final estimates 2024-25; third AE 2025-26 (PIB, 27 May 2026).
UPAg portal; Lok Sabha USQ 916 (23 July 2026).

⭐ Key Points for Exams

Foodgrains 2025-26 (3rd AE): 376.56 MT; UP 65.31 MT (17.34%).
Wheat 2025-26: 120.66 MT; 2024-25 UP 35.65 > MP 24.51 > Punjab 17.91.
Rice 2025-26: 154.02 MT; UP > Telangana > West Bengal.
Top rice state: WB (2021-22), Telangana (2023-24), UP (2024-25, 2025-26).

📌 Quick-Fire One-Liners

Question: Leading foodgrain state in 2023-24? Answer: Uttar Pradesh.
Question: Largest rice producer in 2021-22? Answer: West Bengal.
Question: Wheat output 2025-26 (3rd AE)? Answer: 120.66 million tonnes.

Topic

Questions

MCQs — previous-year questions in exam-year order

Answer this question, then use Next.

PYQ · Q56 · U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002; U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2003
Assertion (A): Near self-sufficiency has been achieved in India in the production of foodgrains. Reason (R): India no longer imports foodgrains in bulk quantity.

Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Foodgrains 50.8 MT (1950-51) to 211.9 MT (2001-02). Food imports 4.5% of total imports 2001-02. Final 2024-25: 357.73 MT; 329.69 (2022-23), 332.30 (2023-24); 2025-26 3rd AE 376.56 MT.

PYQ · Q42 · U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012
The descending order of the following States from the point of view of wheat production in the country is:

Answer: (a) Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar
The book marks this (*): (a) was correct for the question period (2012). Latest order (2024-25 final): UP 35.65 MT > MP > Punjab 17.91 > Haryana 11.40 > Rajasthan 11.28; in 2025-26 (3rd AE) Rajasthan moved above Haryana. Then (a). 2024-25 final: UP 35.65 MT > MP > Punjab 17.91 > Haryana 11.40 > Rajasthan 11.28. 2025-26 3rd AE top five: UP > MP > Punjab > Rajasthan > Haryana.

PYQ · Q41 · 67th B.P.S.C. (Pre) (Re-Exam) 2022
What was the total production of wheat in India as per the 4th Advance Estimates in the year 2020-21?

Answer: (a) 109.5 million tonnes
4th AE 2020-21 wheat 109.52 MT. Final: 109.59 (2020-21), 107.74 (2021-22), 110.55 (2022-23), 113.29 (2023-24); 2024-25 final 117.95; 2025-26 3rd AE 120.66 MT.

PYQ · Q43 · 67th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2022
Consider the following States: 1. Punjab 2. Uttar Pradesh 3. Andhra Pradesh 4. West Bengal. Choose the correct sequence of the above in ascending order as rice producing States in India.

Answer: (e) None of the above / More than one of the above
For question period (d). Rice 2024-25: UP 20.76 MT, Telangana 17.45, WB 16.02, Punjab 14.36. 2025-26 3rd AE: UP, Telangana, WB, Punjab.

PYQ · Q40 · U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) (Re-Exam) 2023
In 2023-24, which state was the leading producer of foodgrains in India?

Answer: (c) Uttar Pradesh
UP top foodgrain state in 2023-24 (60.29 MT, 18.14%), 2024-25 (63.85 MT, 17.85%), 2025-26 3rd AE (65.31 MT, 17.34%).

PYQ · Q44 · M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2024
From the following States of India, which was the largest producer of Rice in the year 2021-22?

Answer: (d) West Bengal
2021-22 WB first; 2023-24 Telangana first, UP 2nd; 2024-25 UP first, Telangana 2nd. 2025-26 3rd AE: UP 198.05 lakh t, Telangana 185.29, WB 171.36.

Practice · latest data
As per the third advance estimates for 2025-26, which State is the largest producer of rice?

Answer: Uttar Pradesh
UP 198.05 lakh t, Telangana 185.29, West Bengal 171.36 (3rd AE 2025-26).

Question 1 of 7

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

Leading foodgrain state in 2023-24?

Uttar Pradesh.

Largest rice producer in 2021-22?

West Bengal.

Wheat output 2025-26 (3rd AE)?

120.66 million tonnes.

Question 1 of 3

Topic 2 · Pulses, nutri-cereals and oilseeds — the protein and oil gap Part 1 of 2

Ch 4A · Module 3 — Crop Production and the Leading States

TOPIC 2 OF 3

4A.3.2 Pulses, nutri-cereals and oilseeds — the protein and oil gap

🏫 School → 🇮🇳 UPSC · NCERT-linked · latest official data

School
Class 10+2
BPSC
UPSC

Class levelClass 10 → UPSC

Time≈ 35 minutes

NCERT linkClass 10 Geography Ch 4 (pulses, millets, oilseeds)

Builds onTopic 4A.3.1

Today’s class — by the end you will be able to

Name the top states for pulses, nutri-cereals, groundnut and soyabean.
Explain the Yellow Revolution and the oilseed missions.
Know niger and its oil content.
Explain INSIMP for millets.

Warm-up · think first

India is the world’s largest producer of pulses — yet it imports pulses. How?

Show answer

Because consumption is even larger. India is both the largest producer and the largest consumer of pulses, so it imports to fill the gap (Topic 4A.4.2).

AWho grows what — 2021-22 vs 2024-25

This table answers four PYQs at once.

Top three producer states

Crop	2021-22	2024-25
Nutri / coarse cereals	Karnataka > Rajasthan > Maharashtra	Rajasthan > Karnataka > MP
Total pulses	Madhya Pradesh > Maharashtra > Rajasthan	MP > Maharashtra > Rajasthan
Groundnut	Gujarat > Rajasthan > Tamil Nadu	Gujarat > Rajasthan > MP
Soyabean	Maharashtra > MP > Rajasthan	MP > Maharashtra > Rajasthan

Pulses area vs production: MP is 1st in production. In area it was 2nd (after Rajasthan) in 2021-22 and 2023-24, and 3rd in 2024-25. In 2025-26 (3rd AE) production: MP > Maharashtra > Rajasthan; area: Rajasthan > Maharashtra > MP.

Q47 (RAS 2024): Nutri cereals – Karnataka, Pulses – MP, Groundnut – Gujarat, Soyabean – Maharashtra → A-ii, B-iii, C-v, D-iv (c).

📌 Solves: Q45, Q46, Q47

CheckQuick check: Which state was first in pulses production and second in area in 2021-22?

Madhya Pradesh.

BThe Yellow Revolution and today’s oil missions

Yellow = oilseeds. Learn the 1986 start and the 2024 mission.

INDIA’S NINE OILSEEDS (million tonnes)

Fig 4A.15 Output is rising but still far below edible-oil demand.

FROM YELLOW REVOLUTION TO NMEO

Fig 4A.16 Coconut was not in the 2024 list of oilseeds for self-reliance.

📌 Solves: Q83, Q143, Q144

CheckQuick check: Which oilseed was not named in the 2024-25 self-reliance list?

Coconut.

CNiger — the small oilseed with high oil

A tribal, rainfed crop with a surprise number.

37–47%

oil content of niger seed

pale yellow, nutty oil

Kharif

season

rainfed hills, tribal belts

MSP

covered

one of 14 kharif crops

Niger (Guizotia abyssinica, “ramtil”) is grown mainly in Odisha, MP, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Its oil is used for cooking, anointing, paints and soft soaps; the cake feeds livestock.

📌 Solves: Q84

DMillets as nutri-cereals — INSIMP

Before the International Year of Millets (2023) there was INSIMP (2011-12).

INSIMP — statement check (UPSC 2016)

Statement	True?
Demonstrates improved production, post-harvest and value-addition technology in clusters	✔
Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have a larger stake	✔
Shifts commercial-crop farmers to millets with free micro-irrigation kits	✘ — kits of critical nutrient inputs were free (up to 2 ha); no shift or micro-irrigation component

INSIMP ran under RKVY. Answer: 1 and 2 only.

📌 Solves: Q158

Students ask, teacher answers

🙋 StudentWhat are “nutri-cereals”?

👩‍🏫 Teacher

Millets — jowar, bajra, ragi and small millets — renamed in 2018 for their nutrition.

Common traps

Rajasthan was first in pulses production.

Rajasthan leads pulses area; MP leads production.

Yellow revolution = mustard only.

All oilseeds.

Practice ladder — climb level by level

🏫 School level

1 markYellow Revolution is related to?

Oilseeds.

🎓 Class 10+2 level

2 marksName the top states for groundnut and soyabean (2024-25).

Groundnut: Gujarat; soyabean: Madhya Pradesh.

🏛️ BPSC level

PYQ patternOil content of niger seed? (a) 7–16% (b) 17–26% (c) 27–36% (d) 37–47%

(d).

🇮🇳 UPSC level

PrelimsNMEO–Oilseeds runs from 2024-25 to 2030-31 with an outlay of about ₹10,103 crore. True/False?

True.

💡 Exam tip: For state questions read the year — soyabean flipped from Maharashtra (2021-22) to MP (2024-25).

Previous-year questions solved in this topic (8)

Q143 · Q144 · Q158 · Q84 · Q46 · Q47 · Q83 · Q45

Arranged in chronological order of exam year in the Questions panel →

Homework / activity

Fill an outline map with the top state for each crop in the table.

Exit ticket — tick what you can do

I can name top states for pulses, nutri-cereals, groundnut, soyabean.
I know Yellow Revolution and NMEO.
I know niger’s oil content.

60-second recap

Pulses: MP 1st (production).
Nutri-cereals: Karnataka (2021-22) → Rajasthan (2024-25).
Groundnut: Gujarat; soyabean: Maharashtra → MP.
Yellow Revolution 1986; NMEO-Oilseeds ₹10,103 cr (2024-31).
Oilseeds 43.06 MT (2025-26 3rd AE); niger 37–47% oil.

Where this lesson comes from

DES, MoA&FW crop-wise estimates 2021-22 and 2024-25; 3rd AE 2025-26.
Union Budget 2024-25; Cabinet decision Oct 2024 (NMEO-Oilseeds).
ICAR niger crop notes.

⭐ Key Points for Exams

2021-22: nutri-cereals Karnataka; pulses MP; groundnut Gujarat; soyabean Maharashtra.
2024-25: nutri-cereals Rajasthan; soyabean MP.
Yellow Revolution from 1986 (Technology Mission on Oilseeds).
NMEO-Oilseeds: 2024-25 to 2030-31, ₹10,103 crore.
Niger: 37–47% oil.

📌 Quick-Fire One-Liners

Question: First state in pulses production 2021-22? Answer: Madhya Pradesh.
Question: Oilseed not covered under 2024-25 self-reliance? Answer: Coconut.
Question: Yellow revolution relates to? Answer: Oilseeds.

Topic

Questions

MCQs — previous-year questions in exam-year order

Answer this question, then use Next.

PYQ · Q143 · U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2007
Yellow Revolution is concerned with the production of

Answer: (c) Oilseeds
Started 1986 Technology Mission on Oilseeds. Now NMEO-Oilseeds and NMEO-Oil Palm. Nine oilseeds: 39.67 MT (2023-24), 42.99 MT (2024-25 final), 43.06 MT (2025-26 3rd AE).

PYQ · Q144 · U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012
'Yellow Revolution' is related with:

Answer: (c) Rapeseed-Mustard production

PYQ · Q158 · I.A.S. (Pre) 2016
With reference to 'Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion' which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies, and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with cluster approach. 2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have larger stake in this scheme. 3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro irrigation equipment.

Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only
INSIMP 2011-12 under RKVY; free kits up to 2 ha.

PYQ · Q84 · U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021
Niger crop is a oil seed crop. What is the content of oil in its seeds?

Answer: (d) 37 - 47%
Minor rainfed oilseed; 37-47% oil, pale yellow, nutty.

PYQ · Q46 · M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2024
In the year 2021-22, which State of India had the first rank in production of pulses?

Answer: (c) Madhya Pradesh
See Q45.

PYQ · Q47 · R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2024
Match crops (List-I) with the state first in production in 2021-22 (List-II): A. Nutri cereals B. Total pulses C. Groundnut D. Soyabean — i. Rajasthan ii. Karnataka iii. Madhya Pradesh iv. Maharashtra v. Gujarat

Answer: (c) A-ii, B-iii, C-v, D-iv
2021-22: Nutri/coarse cereals Karnataka>Rajasthan>Maharashtra; pulses MP>Maharashtra>Rajasthan; groundnut Gujarat>Rajasthan>TN; soyabean Maharashtra>MP>Rajasthan. 2024-25: nutri Rajasthan>Karnataka>MP; pulses MP>Maha>Raj; groundnut Gujarat>Raj>MP; soyabean MP>Maha>Raj.

PYQ · Q83 · 70th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2024
In the Union Budget speech for 2024-25, which oilseeds were noted as not being covered under the goal of 'Atmanirbharta' (self-reliance) for oil?

Answer: (b) Coconut
Interim Budget 1 Feb 2024 'Atmanirbhar Oil Seeds Abhiyan': mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean, sunflower. Endorsed July 2024. Oct 2024 Cabinet: National Mission on Edible Oils - Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds), 2024-25 to 2030-31, outlay Rs 10,103 crore.

PYQ · Q45 · M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2025
During the year 2021-22, which of these states was ranked second in area and first in production of pulses in the country?

Answer: (d) Madhya Pradesh
MP first in production, second in area (after Rajasthan) in 2021-22 and 2023-24. 2024-25 MP first in production, third in area. 2025-26 3rd AE production: MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan; area: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, MP.

Question 1 of 8

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

First state in pulses production 2021-22?

Madhya Pradesh.

Oilseed not covered under 2024-25 self-reliance?

Coconut.

Yellow revolution relates to?

Oilseeds.

Question 1 of 3

Topic 3 · Horticulture and plantation crops — India and the world Part 1 of 2

Ch 4A · Module 3 — Crop Production and the Leading States

TOPIC 3 OF 3

4A.3.3 Horticulture and plantation crops — India and the world

🏫 School → 🇮🇳 UPSC · NCERT-linked · latest official data

School
Class 10+2
BPSC
UPSC

Class levelClass 10 → UPSC

Time≈ 40 minutes

NCERT linkClass 10 Geography Ch 4 (tea, coffee, horticulture) · Class 12 Fundamentals of Human Geography Ch 5

Builds onTopic 4A.3.2

Today’s class — by the end you will be able to

State India’s world ranks in major farm products.
Rank Indian fruits by output and match fruits to states.
Know coffee: Indian states, world producers, the coffee belt.
Recall crop varieties such as Kashi Lalima and facts on turmeric.

Warm-up · think first

Which fruit fills one-third of India’s fruit basket?

Show answer

Banana — 33.27% of fruit output (3rd AE 2024-25).

AIndia’s world ranks

Two lists: where India is first, and where it is second.

India’s rank in world production (FAO)

Rank	Products
1st	Milk, pulses, spices, jute, millets (also turmeric — largest producer and exporter)
2nd	Rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, groundnut, fruits, vegetables
Note	China is 1st in vegetables and fruits; Brazil is 1st in sugar and coffee

Q60: India is the largest producer of milk, pulses and spices → (b). Q61: largest vegetable producer = China.

📌 Solves: Q60, Q61

BFruits — what India grows most

Banana leads by a huge margin. Then mango.

FRUIT PRODUCTION, 2024-25 3rd AE (thousand tonnes)

Fig 4A.17 Banana = 33.27% of all fruit output.

Largest producer states

Fruit	State
Mango	Uttar Pradesh
Litchi	Bihar (Muzaffarpur)
Coconut	Kerala (question period) · 2023-24: Karnataka > Tamil Nadu > Kerala
Apple	Jammu & Kashmir

Kashi Lalima

Red-purple okra (lady’s finger), IIVR Varanasi; 14–15 t/ha; rich in anthocyanins.

Alphonso

Mango variety most exported (Maharashtra, Ratnagiri).

Shahi litchi

Bihar’s GI-tagged litchi from Muzaffarpur.

📌 Solves: Q65, Q66, Q67

CheckQuick check: Which state is the largest litchi producer?

Bihar.

CTurmeric — India leads the world

UPSC 2025 asked three statements — all true.

India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of turmeric (2022-23).
More than 30 varieties are grown in India.
Major states: Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 4 October 2023 (National Turmeric Board notified). Answer: I, II and III.

📌 Solves: Q63

DCoffee — India and the world

Coffee grows in the tropics — between 23.5° N and 23.5° S, the “coffee belt”.

COFFEE IN INDIA, 2022-23 (tonnes)

Fig 4A.18 Karnataka ≈ 70% of India’s coffee. Final 2024-25: Karnataka 2,56,000 t; post-blossom estimate 2025-26: 2,80,275 t.

World coffee and plantation crops

Item	Fact
Top coffee producers 2016	Brazil > Vietnam > Colombia > Indonesia
Top coffee producers 2024 (FAO)	Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, Ethiopia
Wrong pairs in PYQs	Coffee–Mongolia ✘ · Coffee–Uzbekistan ✘ (37°–46° N, outside the belt)
Right pairs	Rubber–Thailand/Malaysia · Olive–Spain · Sugarcane–Brazil · Tea–Sri Lanka · Cocoa–Nigeria

🧩 Rank coffee producers (2016), highest first

Brazil
Vietnam
Colombia
Indonesia

📌 Solves: Q68, Q69, Q70, Q71

Students ask, teacher answers

🙋 StudentWhy did coconut’s top state change?

👩‍🏫 Teacher

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu expanded area and yields while Kerala’s old palms aged.

Common traps

India is the largest vegetable producer.

China is; India is second.

Kashi Lalima is a tomato.

It is okra.

Kerala is the top coffee state.

Karnataka (≈70%).

Practice ladder — climb level by level

🏫 School level

1 markLargest fruit by production in India?

Banana.

🎓 Class 10+2 level

MatchingMango, Litchi, Coconut, Apple → states?

UP, Bihar, Kerala (now Karnataka), J&K.

🏛️ BPSC level

PYQ patternMaximum coffee producing state? (a) Maharashtra (b) Karnataka (c) TN (d) Kerala

(b).

🇮🇳 UPSC level

PrelimsWhich pair is not correctly matched: (a) Coffee–Uzbekistan (b) Rubber–Malaysia (c) Tea–Sri Lanka (d) Cocoa–Nigeria

(a) — outside the coffee belt.

💡 Exam tip: World-rank questions: memorise the “first” list (milk, pulses, spices, jute, millets) and the “second” list.

Previous-year questions solved in this topic (10)

Q71 · Q61 · Q70 · Q65 · Q67 · Q68 · Q66 · Q69 · Q60 · Q63

Arranged in chronological order of exam year in the Questions panel →

Homework / activity

Draw the coffee belt (23.5° N–23.5° S) on a world outline and mark Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, India.

Exit ticket — tick what you can do

I know India’s 1st and 2nd world ranks.
I can rank banana, mango, papaya, guava.
I know Karnataka leads coffee.
I know Kashi Lalima is okra.

60-second recap

India 1st: milk, pulses, spices, jute, millets, turmeric.
China 1st in fruits & vegetables.
Banana 39.5 mn t (33.27%), mango 23.3 mn t.
Litchi–Bihar; apple–J&K; mango–UP.
Coffee: Karnataka ≈70%; world: Brazil > Vietnam.

Where this lesson comes from

FAO statistics; MoA&FW horticulture 3rd AE 2024-25.
PIB 4 Oct 2023 (turmeric); Coffee Board estimates.
IIVR Varanasi variety notes.

⭐ Key Points for Exams

India largest producer of milk, pulses, spices, jute, millets; second in rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, groundnut, fruits, vegetables.
Banana 33.27% of fruit output (2024-25).
Coffee: Karnataka ≈70% (2,48,020 t in 2022-23).
Kashi Lalima = red okra.

📌 Quick-Fire One-Liners

Question: Largest vegetable producing country? Answer: China.
Question: Kashi Lalima is a variety of? Answer: Okra (lady’s finger).
Question: Largest litchi producing state? Answer: Bihar.

Topic

Questions

MCQs — previous-year questions in exam-year order

Answer this question, then use Next.

PYQ · Q71 · 47th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2005
Which State ensures the maximum production of Coffee in India?

Answer: (b) Karnataka
Karnataka ~70%: 248020 MT in 2022-23; Kerala 72425; TN 18700. Final 2024-25 Karnataka 256000 MT; post-blossom 2025-26 280275 MT.

PYQ · Q61 · U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015
Which of the following is the largest vegetable producing country in the world?

Answer: (a) China
China first in vegetables and fruits; India second. (FAO: India largest producer of milk, pulses, spices, jute, millets; second in rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, groundnut, fruits, vegetables.)

PYQ · Q70 · U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018
Arrange the following coffee producing countries in descending order of their coffee production (2016, quantity): A. Colombia B. Vietnam C. Brazil D. Indonesia

Answer: (b) C, B, A, D
2016: Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia. FAO 2024: Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, Ethiopia.

PYQ · Q65 · U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021
'Kashi Lalima' is the variety of which of the following crops?

Answer: (b) Okra/Lady finger
Red-purple okra, 14-15 t/ha, rich in anthocyanins; IIVR Varanasi; UP.

PYQ · Q67 · U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021
Match List-I (Fruit) with List-II (Largest Producer): A. Mango B. Litchi C. Coconut D. Apple — 1. Jammu & Kashmir 2. Kerala 3. Bihar 4. Uttar Pradesh

Answer: (c) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
Mango UP, Litchi Bihar, Coconut Kerala (then), Apple J&K. 2023-24 coconut: Karnataka, TN, Kerala.

PYQ · Q68 · U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021
Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched? (Crop : Country)

Answer: (b) Coffee : Mongolia
Top coffee 2023: Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia.

PYQ · Q66 · U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) (Re-Exam) 2023
Which fruit ranks first in terms of production?

Answer: (d) Banana
3rd AE 2024-25 horticulture (thousand MT): Banana 39511.92, Mango 23265.94, Papaya 5708.88, Guava 5606.62; banana 33.27% of fruits.

PYQ · Q69 · U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) (Re-Exam) 2023
Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? (Plantation Crop - Name of Country)

Answer: (a) Coffee - Uzbekistan
Coffee belt 23.5N-23.5S; Uzbekistan 37-46N.

PYQ · Q60 · M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2025
India is the largest producer of which agricultural products?

Answer: (b) Milk, Pulses and Spices

PYQ · Q63 · I.A.S. (Pre) 2025
Consider the following statements about turmeric during the year 2022-23: I. India is the largest producer and exporter of turmeric in the world. II. More than 30 varieties of turmeric are grown in India. III. Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are major turmeric producing States in India. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Answer: (d) I, II and III
PIB 4 Oct 2023.

Question 1 of 10

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

Largest vegetable producing country?

China.

Kashi Lalima is a variety of?

Okra (lady’s finger).

Largest litchi producing state?

Bihar.

Question 1 of 3