Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of India. Almost 50% of Indian population lives in rural areas and their main occupation is farming hence India ranks second around the world in farm outputs. Maharashtra is a strong economic state with highest heavy industries in the region though the land is majorly the agricultural based where farming is the main occupation of the people and 64.14% of the Maharashtrian population are employed in agriculture. People living in rural areas earn their living through agriculture outputs. The state is blessed with good soil, water and weather conditions too that is favourable for good crops and sustained the good economic records that is equally participated in the GDP of state.
The major crops grown in the state include rice, Jowar, Bajra, wheat, pulses, cotton, sugarcane, several oil seeds including sunflower, groundnut and soybean, turmeric, onions and other vegetables. Maharashtra is also famous for its fruit production. The major fruits produced in the state are: mangoes, bananas, grapes and oranges. Nagpur and Nashik are the major producers of fruits.
Agricultural CropsKharif Crops:- Jowar (Sorghum), Bajra (Millet), Rice, Cotton, Groundnuts
Rabi Crops: - Wheat, Gram, Jowar
Cereals: - Jowar, Rice, Wheat, Bajra, Maize, Bali, Nachni
Oil seeds: - Groundnut, Sesame, Jawas, Karadi, Mustard.
Pulses: – Dal, Tur (Red gram)
Cash Crops: - Sugarcane, Cotton, Chillies, Tobacco, Banana.
Area under agriculture
| Net Crop Area |
17,619,000 hectares |
| Total Crop Area |
22,381,000 hectares |
| Total Irrigated Area |
3,667,000 hectares |
| Ratioof total irrigated area with crop area |
16.4 per cent |
| Area under Cereals |
9,411,000 hectares |
| Area under Pulses |
33, 88,000 hectares |
| Total Area under Food-grains |
12,798,000 hectares |
| Area under Horticulture |
10.14 lakh hectares |