Rajasthan’s western region is filled with desert lands and the environment here is semi-arid. But the eastern part of the state has many rivers and there is more rain; hence suitable for farming. In past days, agriculture was a risky affair for the people and they used to farm animals for milk. Now the state has been benefited by the “White Revolution” to great extent.

Rajasthan is a state where 80% of the people depend on agriculture. The rural economy of the state largely depends on farming. The major crops grown in the state include bajra, juar, wheat and barley. Apart from these, the state also produces other important crops like groundnut, sesame, cotton and Maize. Fruits and vegetables are also grown in the state; these are mainly orange, lemon, guava and mango.

The old methods of ploughing are still continuing by using camels and buffaloes. Nowadays farmers are using tractors for this purpose. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has increased the crop productivity and now the state is self sufficient in the production of food grains.

Irrigation in Rajasthan largely depends on rain but men made ponds are also used for this purpose. Water is made available from canals or by the use of Persian wheels. So many projects are running by the government and private NGOs to overcome the problem related to irrigation.


Agricultural Production 2003-04

Product (in Tonnes.)		Quantity
1	Barley	408793
2	Cotton Seet	89847
3	Chillies	29680
4	Coriandar	286378
5	Cotton (In Bales)	708995
6	Cumin (Jeera)	120981
7	Gram	707181
8	Groundnut	330723
9	Guarseed	1163170
10	Maize	2068243
11	Methi	71826
12	Mustard and Rape	2694203
13	Pulses (Kharif & Rabi)	1565475
14	Rice	164820
15	Sesamum	141154
16	Soyabean	691403
17	Sugarcane	309427
18	Taramira	45995
19	Wheat	5875863

Source: Department of Industries, Govt. of Rajasthan