Describe the geographical conditions required for the growth of rice.
Rice is the staple food crop of a majority of the people in India and is grown as a kharif crop. It requires specific geographical conditions, starting with a high temperature above 25°C for optimal growth.
The crop requires high humidity and an annual rainfall above 100 cm. These conditions are naturally found in the plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas, and deltaic regions where rainfall is abundant.
In areas with less rainfall, rice cultivation is made possible through irrigation. The development of a dense network of canal irrigation and tubewells has facilitated its growth in states like Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan.
Major rice-producing regions include Assam, West Bengal, coastal regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Recently, paddy has also become an important crop in Punjab and Haryana due to irrigation facilities.
Explanation
The answer is derived from the sections 'Rice' under 'Major Crops' and the introductory paragraph on rice cultivation areas. It highlights the climatic requirements (temperature, rainfall, humidity) and the role of irrigation in extending cultivation to low-rainfall areas, fulfilling the 5-mark requirement for a long answer.