Karnataka, India’s second-largest producer of arid land crops after Rajasthan, boasts a vibrant and diverse agricultural ecosystem. Spread across 10 agro-climatic zones, the state's agricultural practices range from traditional rain-fed farming to high-tech horticulture. With paddy (rice) as the staple food crop, Karnataka’s farms yield an impressive range of food grains, pulses, oilseeds, commercial, horticultural, and plantation crops.
Let’s explore the major crop varieties cultivated across this agriculturally rich state.
🌿 Food Grains
🍚 Rice (Paddy)
Widely cultivated in irrigated regions, especially the southern and coastal districts, rice remains Karnataka’s staple.
Popular Varieties: KMP-220, MSN 99, Gangavathi Sona (GGV-05-01), SIRI-1253, RPBI0-226🌾 Ragi (Finger Millet)
A drought-resilient and nutrition-packed millet grown predominantly in Southern Karnataka.
Notable Varieties: Indaf-7, Indaf-9, KMR-301, GPU-48, KMR-340, KMR-630, KMR-316🌽 Jowar (Sorghum)
An important dual-purpose crop (food + fodder), especially in Northern Karnataka.
Key Variety: GS-23🌽 Maize
Grown across both northern and southern zones, maize serves multiple roles—food, feed, and industrial raw material.
Hybrid: RCRMH-2🌾 Minor Millets
As India's leading producer of coarse cereals, Karnataka grows various minor millets including:
Foxtail Millet: SIA-2644 (Sri Laxmi), GPUF-3, HN-46Little Millet: GPUL-6
Proso Millet: GPUP-28
Bajra (Pearl Millet): MBP-2
Grain Amaranth: KBGA-15
🌱 Pulses
Karnataka's diverse agro-climatic regions support a wide array of pulse cultivation:
Tur (Red Gram): TS-3R (Maruti-2), GRG-811Green Gram: BGS-9, KKM-3
Black Gram: T-9, Rashmi
Bengal Gram: Jaki-9218 (wilt-resistant), GBM-2
Vegetable Cowpea: AV-5, AV-6
Others: Horse Gram, Field Cowpea
💰 Commercial Crops
🍬 Sugarcane
Grown primarily in irrigated belts, this high-yielding cash crop is central to Karnataka’s economy.
Leading Varieties: CO-06027, VCF 0517, COVC-16061, COVC-16062, CoVC 18061👕 Cotton
Primarily cultivated in Northern Karnataka, cotton is essential to the textile industry.
Popular Varieties: SCS 793, BDGHH-697, BGDS-1063🚬 Tobacco
Widely grown in Central and Southern Karnataka, especially for export and domestic industries.
🛢️ Oilseeds
Oilseed cultivation is vital in both irrigated and dryland zones:
Groundnut: R-2001-2 (Vijetha), KDG-128, Kadiri-9Sunflower: RSFH-1887, KBSH-42, KBSH-44, RSFH-130 (Bhadra), RFSV-901 (Kanthi), KBSH-78
Sesame (Til): Cultivated mainly in Northern Karnataka
Safflower: Preferred in deep black soils
Castor: Found in Bengaluru Rural and Chikkamagaluru
Linseed: NL-115
Soybean: DSB-21 (grown in Belagavi)
🍇 Horticulture & Plantation Crops
🍉 Fruits
Karnataka is a major producer of tropical and sub-tropical fruits.
Mango: Ambika, ArunikaGuava: Lalit, Shweta
Guava Hybrid: Arka Kiran
Papaya: Arka Prabhath
Banana: Udhayam
Jackfruit: Byrachandra, Lalabagh Madhura
🌴 Plantation Crops
These crops are crucial for export and intercropping models.
Coconut: Chowghat Orange Dwarf, Kera Chandra, Chandra Kalpa, Kalpa Dhenu, Kalpa Mitra, Kalpa Prathiba, Kalpa Raksha, Kalpa SreeArecanut: Mangala, Sumangala, Sreemangala, Mohitnagar, Swarnamangala, Shriwardhan, Nalbari....
Hybrid: VTLAH-2Cashew: NRCC Selection 2, Bhaskara
Oil Palm: Dwarf Tenera
Cocoa: VTLCC1, VTLC1, VTLC 57.....
Hybrids: VTLCH 1 to VTLCH 4Others: Coffee, Tea, Rubber
🥕 Vegetables
Vegetable cultivation is widespread and includes open-field and polyhouse production:
Tomato: PTR-6Okra: Arka Anamika
French Beans: Arka Sharath, Arka Komal, Arka Suvidha, Arka Anoop
🌿 Spices & Medicinal Plants
Karnataka is also a rich ground for spice and herbal crops, including:
Spices: Black Pepper, Cardamom, Turmeric, Ginger, Garlic, Coriander
Medicinal Plants: Amla, Ashwagandha, Lemongrass, Tulsi
🌸 Flowers
Floriculture is thriving, with commercial cultivation of:
Popular Varieties: Marigold, Tuberose, Jasmine, Chrysanthemum, Carnations, Gerberas, Dutch Roses🌾 In Conclusion
Karnataka’s agricultural output reflects a fine balance of tradition and innovation, with high-yielding varieties, climate-resilient crops, and a strong focus on horticulture and plantations. From nutritious millets to global export crops like coffee and spices, the state's fields feed not just its people—but a nation.
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