Agriculture

Agriculture plays a vital role in Karnataka's economy, with the state being a major producer of various crops including rice, ragi, coffee, and silk. It's also a significant producer of horticultural crops, spices, and tropical fruits. Karnataka is known for its diverse agricultural landscape, with different regions specializing in specific crops.

Geographic Diversity:

Karnataka has varied agro-climatic zones ranging from the coastal belt to the dry interior and the hilly regions of the Western Ghats. This diversity allows for a wide range of crops to be cultivated across the state.

Agriculture	2022-23
Total Geographical Area	190.50
Net Area Sown	111.60
% of Net Area Sown to Geographical Area	58.6
Net Irrigated Area	50.37

Major Crops

• Food Grains: Ragi (Finger Millet), Jowar (sorghum), Paddy, Maize and Pulses
• Commercial Crops: Sugarcane, Cotton and Tobacco
• Plantation Crops: Coffee, Arecanut, Coconut and Tea (Mainly in Chikmaglur, Coorg and Hassan)
• Horticulture: Bananas, Grapes, Mangoes, Tomatoes, Onions and Chillies

Irrigation:

Only about one-third of agricultural land is irrigated, mainly through rivers like Krishna and Cauvery. The rest depends on monsoon rains

Land Holdings:

As per Agriculture Census 2015-16, there are 86.81 lakh farm holdings operating an area of 118.05 lakh hectares. The average size of holding is 1.36 hectare. Small and marginal holdings account for 80% of total holdings and operate 44% of the total operated area, while semi-medium, medium and large holdings account for 20% of the total holdings and their operational land holding is 56% out of the total operational area.

Land Utilization:

The net area cultivated during 2022-23 is 111.61 lakh ha. which constitutes 58.59% of the total geographical area of 190.50 lakh ha. 3.08 lakh ha. of area to the geographical area is cultivable waste. 7.40 lakh ha. of area is barren and uncultivable land, 8.72 lakh ha is permanent pasture.

Land Utilization:

The net area cultivated during 2022-23 is 111.61 lakh ha. which constitutes 58.59% of the total geographical area of 190.50 lakh ha. 3.08 lakh ha. of area to the geographical area is cultivable waste. 7.40 lakh ha. of area is barren and uncultivable land, 8.72 lakh ha is permanent pasture.

Agricultural Production:

The total area cultivated under food crops during 2022-23 was 79.09 lakh ha. and the food production was 143.56 lakh tonnes . During 2023-24 it is estimated that (as per the second advance estimates) 70.59 lakh ha. of area under food crops will be cultivated with the production of 112.32 lakh tonnes. The oilseeds production is estimated to produce 9.90 lakh tonnes, during 2023-24 as against the production of 14.31 lakh tonnes in 2022-23. Similarly, The production of cotton is estimated to 16.91 lakh bales during 2023-24 as against the production of 30.39 lakh bales in 2022-23.

Agricultural Production

The total area cultivated under food crops during 2022-23 was 79.09 lakh ha. with production of 143.56 lakh tonnes. Key production figures:

Crop/Group	2022-23 Area (lakh ha)	2022-23 Production (lakh tonnes)	2023-24* Area (lakh ha)	2023-24* Production (lakh tonnes)
Cereals	50.17	125.18	42.22	93.36
Pulses	28.92	18.38	28.37	18.96
Total Food Grains	79.09	143.56	70.59	112.32
Oilseeds	12.83	14.31	9.68	9.90
Cotton (lakh bales)	90.69	30.39	7.09	16.91
Sugarcane	7.08	621.42	7.00	583.10
Tobacco	0.78	0.57	0.75	0.57

* 2023-24 figures are estimates as per second advance estimates

Cropping Pattern:

The State is divided into 10 Agro-climatic zones on the bases of distribution and percentage of rainfall, soil quality, height from the sea and based on major crops. On account of this varied agro-climatic features, almost all cereals, pulses, oilseeds and commercial crops are cultivated in different parts of the State. Farmers in Karnataka are very innovative and take lead in diversification as per the market trends. The average area (2018-19 to 2022-23) of agriculture crops grown in three seasons’ viz. Kharif (81.22 lakh ha.), Rabi (24.29 lakh ha.) & summer (6.41 lakh ha.) is 111.92 lakh hectares. Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, Cotton, Sugarcane and Tobacco account for 44%, 29%, 10%, 7%, 9% and 1% respectively of the total agricultural cropped area. Maize, Bengal gram, Green gram, Soyabean, Cotton and Sugarcane crops are witnessing a Agriculture and Food Management Karnataka Economic Survey 2023-24 160 higher trend in recent years, whereas crops like Paddy, Jowar, Bajra, Wheat, Tur, Groundnut and Tobacco are witnessing a declining trend

Horticulture

Horticulture sector has emerged as an important component of the economy of our State and has contributed more than one third share to the economy of agriculture and allied sectors. In many dry regions of the State, Horticultural crops have evolved as an alternative crop to agricultural crops. In 2022-23 Horticulture crop covers an area of 27.43 lakh hectares and the annual production is 221.71 lakh Metric Tons. The average productivity of horticultural crops in the State is 8.08 Metric Tons per hectare. The share of Horticultural produce in total GSDP of the state was 4.88%.

• Area under horticulture: 27.43 lakh hectares
• Production: 221.71 lakh Metric Tons
• Average productivity: 8.08 MT per hectare
• Share in state GSDP: 4.88%

Animal Husbandry

The Livestock sector plays vital role in development of rural economy of the State. In Karnataka majority of the population is dependent on Agriculture and allied activities. As per the 20th Livestock Census, Karnataka has 3.03 crores of livestock and 5.95 crores of poultry population and its share in all India was 5.41% and 6.98% respectively. The share of Animal Husbandry in total Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the state was 3.78%. During 2022-23, in Cow and Buffalos milk production, India ranks first in the world. During 2022- 23, Karnataka state stands 9th rank among the States. The production of milk in the state was 12.83 million metric tonnes during the year 2022-23.

Fisheries

Fisheries is an important sector in the state contributing fish production besides, source of foreign exchange earner. Fish being one of the sources of quality protein, use of fish as food helps in eradication of malnutrition among rural population. Fisheries Sector contributes to production of quality animal protein required for human beings besides provides more employment opportunities. The vast marine, brackish water and inland freshwater resources are the source of fish production in the State. Karnataka is in 5th position in marine fish production and 7th position in inland fish production in the country during 2021-22. The total fish production during 2022-23, is 12.25 lakh metric tonnes. The share of fisheries in total GSDP of the state was 0.57%. Karnataka State has 320 Km long coast line along with 27000 Sq. km continental shelf area, 5.83 lakh hectares of various inland water resources and has vast scope for fisheries development. The brackish water area of 8000 hectares also provides good scope for shrimp/fish culture. There are about 9.84 lakh fishermen involved in various fisheries activities in the state of which 3.31 lakh in marine and 6.53 lakh are in inland.