1. This includes the western Himalayan region which occupies about 4.7 per cent of the country’s area. It is characterised by cold dry climatic conditions and shallow soils. Here summers are cool while winters are harsh. The average temperature is 8() C, annual precipitation 15 cm and crop growing period under 90 days. The region has good possibilities for growing fruits like peaches and flowers like roses.
2. Arid conditions with alkaline soils are found in western Rajasthan, south-western Haryana and Punjab, north Kathiawar and Kachchh. This region is characterised by hot summers and cold winters. Average annual precipitation is under 30 cm and the length of growing season is under 90 days. Droughts are common phenomenon. The soils are predominantly sandy and saline. The region is suitable for dry farming.
3. This region, bordering Karnataka and Andhra Pradradesh, has mixed red and black soils, 40-50 cm of annual precipitation and less than 90 days of growing season. This is an area of dry land farming.
5. Malwa upland and Kathiawar are characterised by hot dry climate and medium to deep black soils, 60-90 cm. of annual precipitation, and 90-150 days of growing period. Frequent droughts, salinity and alkalinity of soils are major constraints.
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6. The Deccan region of Maharashtra, northwestern Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka has a hot and semi dry climate, shallow to deep black soils, 60-100 cm of annual precipitation and over 150 day s of growing period. Dry farming is prevalent here. Long spells of drought affect the agricultural activities whose severity may be reduced through watershed management and irrigation development.
7. The hot semi-dry eastern Deccan and Eastern Ghat in Andhra Pradesh have mixed red and black soils, 60-100 cm of annual precipitation and 90-150 days of growing season. The region is suitable for growing cotton. Irrigated areas support rice cultivation. Disrupted drainage, salinity and soil erosion are the major problems.
8. Tamilnadu upland and Karnataka plateau have red loamy soils, 60-100 cm of annual precipitation and 90-150 days of growing season. The region is suitable for cotton cultivation while rice is a popular crop in the irrigated areas.