Chhattisgarh, India’s 26th state, was formed in 2000 after being partitioned from the larger state of Madhya Pradesh (Chattisgarh means Thirty-Six Forts). It’s located in the center of the country and has a subtropical climate and fertile soil, making it an ideal place to grow crops.
There are over 100 types of crops grown in Chhattisgarh but below are 10 crops grown in Chhattisgarh that are especially important to the state’s economy and food supply.
The List of Crops grown in Chhattisgarh
Below are just 10 of the Crops grown in Chhattisgarh. Read on to get details.
1) Groundnut
Groundnut, or peanuts, were originally grown in the Americas and Africa, but the crop was introduced to India by Portuguese explorers in the early 16th century. Today, groundnut is one of the major crops grown in Chhattisgarh. Groundnuts are used in cooking and can be turned into a nutritious paste that is high in protein and fat.
The nuts are also used as a coating for savory snacks like samosas and pastries like laddoos, and they have many industrial uses including peanut butter and chunky peanut butter. Groundnut oil is rich in polyunsaturated fats which have been shown to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol when consumed as part of a healthy diet.
Apart from its use as a delicious snack, groundnut is also grown as a major cash crop. The farm-gate value of India’s groundnut production has grown by over 200% since 2006 and is projected to continue growing at a healthy rate.
2) Maize
Maize is one of the most important crops grown in Chhattisgarh, India. The crop is used to feed livestock and humans alike and accounts for 2/3 of the agricultural GDP in the state. In addition to this, maize is also used as a feedstock for biodiesel production.
Unlike in other states, maize has had a high yield rate of 15.1 quintals/hectare in recent years, but there is potential to reach 20-25 quintals/hectare.
The primary reason for lower yields is inadequate artificial irrigation and the use of only a single crop per season. The problem with growing only maize is that it requires large amounts of fertilizers and insecticides that can be damaging to other crops grown in rotation.
Although it is one of Chhattisgarh’s most important crops, it is one of India’s biggest agricultural import commodities. In 2012-2013, over 30% of India’s maize was grown in Chhattisgarh and more than 90% of all maize imports were grown there as well.
3) Soybean
Soybean is the major crop cultivated in the state of Chhattisgarh. It is an important source of protein for vegetarians and is a rich source of oil, protein, minerals, and vitamins. Additionally, it has been shown to have a number of medicinal properties.
The soybean is high in fat, protein, and fiber. The high fiber content reduces cholesterol in your body. The minerals found in soy are necessary for the healthy growth and development of bones, muscles, and nerves.
Additionally, soy is also rich in Vitamin K which prevents blood clotting, because it contains phytoestrogens – chemical compounds that have estrogen-like properties, Soy may be useful as a treatment for menopausal symptoms like hot flashes.
4) Ragi
Ragi is a type of cereal made from the powdered, ground inside of the grain called thali or halli. It is a staple food in parts of South Asia, Africa, and Central America. In India, it is mainly grown in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. Ragi is also referred to as handia in some Indian states. The major cultivation area for ragi is at the foothills of Western Ghats.
It is also a rich source of iron, B vitamins, fiber, and carbohydrates. Unlike other cereals like wheat and rice that lose their nutritional value over time, ragi remain largely unaffected. It has a high resistance to pests and diseases and can be stored for years without refrigeration in a well-sealed container.
Besides being used as a staple food, ragi can also be eaten in various forms like gulkand (dried ragi in jaggery), which is very popular in Bihar. It can also be added to dosa batter, idli batter, upma, and soups. Generally, one cup of ragi powder with water makes 1 liter of porridge.
5) Sunflower
The sunflower is the official flower of Chhattisgarh and has been grown in the region for centuries. The seeds of sunflowers are ground into a flour that is used to make roti and other bread.
The oil from sunflower seeds is also widely used in cooking as well as hair treatments, it is also used as a source of biodiesel. The seeds are also often planted in ditches to reduce soil erosion. They can also be made into bird feeders or wind chimes or mixed with clay to produce an orange pigment.
Sunflower oil is rich in vitamin E which helps skin heal faster after injury. It can also be used as a laxative or to relieve pain caused by constipation or hemorrhoids and eczema.
6) Castor seed
Castor seed is a popular crop in the state of Chhattisgarh. One of the reasons for this is that these seeds are used to make castor oil, which is one of the most important oils in India. This oil has been used for centuries, and it’s still very much needed today.
According to some estimates, only about half of India’s castor oil is domestically produced.
In other words, a lot of Indians are using products that contain ingredients from various countries around the world.
These could be crops grown in India and processed elsewhere, or crops from other countries entirely. Whatever your perspective on imports and outsourcing, it’s clear that these decisions have an impact on businesses like castor seed growing in Chhattisgarh.
7) Mustard
Mustard is a flowering plant in the family of Brassicaceae. It is an annual or biennial herb, with a slender stem that is green to purple in color and grows up to 1 meter (3.3 ft) tall.
The leaves are mostly located at the base of the plant, forming a rosette; they are pinnate and divided into numerous segments, roughly resembling a plume of feathers.
The seeds are small and rounded, 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) in diameter, yellow to brownish black, and 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) thick; they are often used whole as spice without being ground, for their flavor and aroma; it is sometimes called Indian mustard because it was introduced to Europe via Indian trade routes.
The yellow flowers are 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) in diameter and usually bright yellow to orange, though they can also be white, purple, pink or red. The fruit is a silique 5–15 cm (2.0–5.9 in) long with several seeds; each plant produces 1000–2000 seeds per year.
8) Sesame
Sesame is one of the most important crops grown in Chhattisgarh. It is an annual crop and grows best in warm dry climates.
The seeds are used to make sesame oil, which is used as a cooking oil and also as a beauty product. Sesame seeds are also often used to make various types of halva, such as gajar ka halwa and chikki.
Chikki is a sweet made from sesame seeds, jaggery, ghee, and dry fruits. Since sesame oil has antioxidant properties, chikki can be used for skin care purposes as well. It is particularly beneficial for preventing grey hair and dandruff due to its effective hair-nourishing properties.
In addition to making chikki, sesame seeds are also used in a wide variety of savory dishes. This includes chatpata pooris which contains sesame seeds or amchur, which is a spice made by sun-drying and powdering sour green mangoes.
9) Mango Tree
Mango is one of the most famous fruits grown in India and the state of Chhattisgarh, despite not being native to the region. It is a major cash crop, with mango trees forming a significant part of the local economy.
The fruit is harvested between March and June and has a strong aroma and sweet taste. The tree bears fruits for 10-12 years before it needs to be replaced,
The variety grown in Maharashtra is Alphonso, but in Chhattisgarh it’s Totapuri. It fetches very good prices because of its succulent texture and strong flavor the fruit has over 1,000 varieties that are cultivated in different states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu too.
The tree that grows has pale green leaves and small white flowers. The fruits can grow in clusters of 50-100. The yellowish-orange color is characteristic of a ripe mango. Sometimes they are also red or purple depending on the variety. Many thousands of farmers from Chhattisgarh make their living from mango farming in many parts of India.
10) Sugarcane
Sugarcane is the most important crop in the region, accounting for nearly 80% of the agricultural area and 90% of the cultivated land. It is also the principal crop for export. Sugarcane is grown on irrigated land during a monsoon season that lasts from June to November.
The average harvest is about 5 tons/acre, but yields of 10-15 tons/acre have been reported. Other crops grown in significant quantities in Chhattisgarh include chilies, rice, cotton, millet, maize, and groundnuts.
Conclusion
The above 10 crops are the backbone of Chhattisgarh’s economy and culture. They are used in everything from food to medicines.
Farmers have found a way to make their farms sustainable by making the most of what they have available and this has helped them to survive, focusing on these crops will help us improve the lives of people in rural India as well as globally.