Crops are plants that farmers grow to provide us with food, clothing, and other useful items.
These plants are usually grown in large numbers on farms or fields.
Example:
Wheat is a crop that gives us flour for making bread and roti.
Cotton is a crop that is used to make clothes.
Rice is a crop we eat every day with curry!
What Do Crops Need to Grow?
Crops are like all living things.
They need certain things to grow strong and healthy.
Things Crops Need:
Sunlight – for energy
Water – for drinking and growing
Soil – to hold the plant and give it nutrients
Air – for breathing
Care by the farmer – like removing weeds, giving water, etc.
Fun Fact: Without sunlight, plants can’t make their food!
Who Grows Crops?
People who grow crops are called farmers.
They use tools, tractors, water pumps, and their knowledge to grow good crops.
What Farmers Do:
Prepare the soil
Sow seeds
Water the plants
Protect crops from pests
Harvest the crops
Sell the crops in markets
Where Are Crops Grown?
Crops are grown in fields, farms, and large open lands.
Some crops grow well in dry places.
Others need lots of water.
Example:
Rice needs a lot of water, so it is grown in wet and rainy areas.
Wheat is grown in cooler and drier places.
Types of Crops Based on Season
Crops grow in different seasons of the year.
In India, we have two main types of seasonal crops:
Kharif Crops (Rainy Season Crops)
Sown in: June or July (monsoon time)
Harvested in: September or October
Need: Lots of water and warm weather
Examples of Kharif Crops:
Rice
Maize (corn)
Cotton
Millets (like jowar and bajra)
Soybean
Example Use: We eat rice daily.
It comes from a kharif crop!
Rabi Crops (Winter Season Crops)
Sown in: October or November
Harvested in: March or April
Need: Cool weather to grow
Examples of Rabi Crops:
Wheat
Barley
Peas
Mustard
Example Use: Wheat gives us flour to make chapati and bread.
Zaid Crops (Summer Crops)
Sown in: March to June (hot summer time)
Need: Warm climate and more irrigation (watering)
Examples of Zaid Crops:
Cucumber
Watermelon
Muskmelon
Pumpkin
Example Use: Watermelon is a juicy summer fruit grown during Zaid season!
Types of Crops Based on Their Use
Now let’s learn how crops are grouped based on what we use them for.
Food Crops – We Eat These!
These are crops that give us food like grains, pulses, and vegetables.
Examples:
Rice, Wheat, Maize – give us grains
Pulses – give us dal (like moong, masoor)
Vegetables – like potato, tomato, carrot
Fruits – like banana, mango, apple
Fun Fact: Food crops are most common because everyone needs food!
Fiber Crops – We Wear These!
These are crops that give us fibers to make clothes and ropes.
Examples:
Cotton – used to make soft clothes
Jute – used to make bags and mats
Example Use: Your school uniform might be made of cotton!
Oil Crops – For Cooking and Fuel
These crops give us oil for cooking, lighting lamps, and even for machines.
Examples:
Groundnut (Peanut)
Mustard
Sunflower
Soybean
Example Use: Mustard oil is used in cooking Indian dishes.
Beverage Crops – For Making Drinks
Some crops are grown to make hot or cold drinks.
Examples:
Tea
Coffee
Example Use: Adults drink tea made from tea leaves!
Medicinal Crops – Used in Medicine
These crops are used to make traditional and modern medicines.
Examples:
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Neem
Aloe Vera
Turmeric
Example Use: Tulsi leaves help when you have a cold!
How Are Crops Grown?
(Steps of Farming)
Let’s look at the steps from planting to harvesting:
Ploughing the Field
The soil is turned and made soft.
Sowing Seeds
Seeds are planted in rows or by hand.
Watering
Plants are given enough water.
Weeding and Protecting from Pests
Unwanted plants and insects are removed.
Harvesting
Once grown, crops are cut and collected.
Storage and Transport
Crops are stored in warehouses and sent to markets.
Fun Fact: In ancient times, farmers used bulls to plough the field.
Today, tractors do the job faster
