RICE IN JHARKHAND - Rice Knowledge Management Portal

RICE IN JHARKHAND 

Status Paper on Rice in Jharkhand 

B. N. Singh 

Director of Research 

Birsa Agricultural University 

RANCHI-834-006, Jharkhand 

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Introduction about Jharkhand State 

Jharkhand which came into being on 15 November 2000 as the 28 th State of India with 

population of 26.91 million (2001 census) distributed in 24 districts is located between 22 0 - 25.5 0 N, 

latitude and 83.5 0 and 88 0 E longitude. The state has comprises forest tracks of Chhotanagpur 

plateau and Santhal Pargana and has distinct cultural traditions. The word Jharkhand, meaning 

"forest region," applies to a forested mountainous plateau region in eastern India, south of the Indo- 

Gangetic Plain and west of the Ganga's delta in Bangladesh. The tribal peoples, who are from two 

groups, Chotanagpurs and Santals, have been the main agitators for the movement. 

The state of Jharkhand has an area of 79,714 sq. km. and a population of 26.9 million. There 

are 24 districts, 211 blocks and 32620 villages. The State has population density of 338 per sq. km. 

(against national average of 312). The decadal growth rate of the state is NA (against 21.54% for the 

country) and population of the state continues to grow at a much faster rate than the national rate. 

The population of scheduled caste is about 3229131 while scheduled tribes 7077180 in the State 

(Table 1). The percentage of scheduled tribes to the total population of Jharkhand is 28.0% against 

the national level of 8.1%. Total fertility rate of the State is 3.2. The infant mortality rate is 46 and 

maternal mortality ratio is 312 which are higher than the national average. The sex ratio in the State 

is 941 as compared to 933 for the country. 

The Jharkhand State is comes under Agro-Climatic Zone VII (Eastern Plateau and Hill Region). 

The whole State is divided in 3 sub zones, viz. sub zone IV (Central and North-Eastern Plateau), sub 

zone V (Western Plateau Region) and sub zone VI (South Eastern Plateau). The sub zone IV consists 

of 12 districts i.e. Dumka, Jamtara, Deoghar, Godda, Sahebganj, Pakur, Hazaribagh, Koderma, 

Chatara, Giridih, Bokaro and Dhanbad, sub zones V has comes 9 districts i,e, Ranchi, Gumla, 

Simdega, Lohardaga, Palamau, Garhwa, Latehar, Khunti and Ramgarh while sub zones VI consists 

only 3 districts, West Singhbhum East Singhbhum and Saraikela districts. Jharkhand is primarily an 

agricultural state, and nearly 78% of population residing in 32620 villages depend mainly on 

agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood. There are three main crop seasons namely Kharif, 

Rabi and Summer. The food grains production is very low in the state and not meeting the 





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requirement of the people of Jharkhand. Sustainable growth in agriculture sector is the “need of the 

hour” not only for the state but also for the country as a whole. A large area of about 14.8 lakh ha 

vacated by kharif rice is left fallow in rabi season in Jharkhand, which is typically called rice fallow. 

Rice is a major crop of the state during kharif with about 75-80% of net cultivated area under rice. 

The total population of the state is ~ 25 million and majority of the people are small and 

landless farmers living in rural areas. The state produces a little less than half of its food grains 

requirement. As a result, per capita food grain including pulses (13-14 gm per capita) availability has 

been 230 gm against 523 gm of all-India average and against 480 gm of minimum requirement. 

Additional annual production of 24-25 lakh tonnes will be an uphill task in a scenario where land 

holdings are small and continuously shrinking and the pressure on land keeps increasing. Rain-fed 

rice is the main crop covering 67.3% (1.48 m ha) in Jharkhand with a production of 10-14 q/ha (1.0- 

1.4t/ha). Further due to low yields of rice, farmers are always in debts, those results in migration to 

other places to sell their only resource labor. Moreover, malnutrition in women and children was 

reported to be high. Agro-climatically, the State is blessed with plenty of rainfall with varied soil 

types with dominance of medium and deep black soils and favorable thermal regime for year round 

cropping. The productivity of state is below the national average. As a result, the contribution of the 

state to the total food grain production of the country is unable to meet livelihood from agriculture a 

large number of small and marginal farmers from the state move to the urban areas. 

Jharkhand's mineral wealth also has been a problem for the tribes. The region is India's 

primary source of coal and iron. Bauxite, copper, limestone, asbestos, and graphite also are found 

there. Coal mining began in 1856, and tata iron and steel factory was established in Jamshedpur in 

1907. The socialist pattern of development pursued by the central government led to forced sales of 

tribal lands to the government, with the usual problem of perceived inadequate compensation. On 

the other hand, government authorities felt that because the soils of the region are poor, 

industrialization was particularly necessary for the local people, not just for the national good. 

However, industrial development brought about further influx of outsiders, and local people 

considered that they were not being hired in sufficient numbers. 





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The Scheduled Castes population in India (Census, 2001) is 166,635,700 persons, constituting 

16.2% of the country’s total population. Being rural people, four fifth (79.8 %) of them live in rural 

areas and rest one-fifth (20.2 %) live in urban areas. The sex ratio of 936 females per thousand males 

is slightly higher than national average of 933 sex ratios. The highest percentage of SC population to 

the total SC population of the country live in U.P.(21.1%) followed by W.B.(11.1%) and Bihar (7.8 %), 

A.P.(7.4 %) and T.N.(7.1%). In fact, more than 57% of total SC population inhabit in these five States. 

Proportionately, the largest proportion of population of the SC to total population of the State is in 

Punjab (28.9 %), followed by H.P.(24.7%) and W.B.(23%). In A.P., Karnataka and Pondicherry 

proportion of SCs population is exactly equal to the National average of 16.2%. The smallest 

concentration of the SC population is in the North-Eastern tribal States such as Mizoram (with 

negligible or only 272 persons) followed by Meghalaya (0.5 %) and Arunachal Pradesh (0.6 %). 

The total population of the Scheduled Tribes in India (Census, 2001) is 84,326,240 persons, 

constituting 8.2% of the total population of the country. 91.7% of them lives in rural areas, whereas, 

only 8.3% inhabit in urban areas. The sex ratio of ST population at 978 females per thousand males is 

higher than the total population of the country as well as SC. M.P. accounts for the highest 

percentage of ST population to total STs population of the country (14.5%) followed by Maharashtra 

(10.2%), Orissa (9.7%), Gujarat (8.9%), Rajasthan (8.4%), Jharkhand (8.4%) and Chhattisgarh (7.8%). 

In fact, 68% of the country’s ST population lives in these seven States only. The proportion of the ST 

to the total population of the States/Union territories is highest in Mizoram (94.5%) and 

Lakshadweep (94.5%) followed by Nagaland (89.1%), Meghalaya (85.9%). Within the major states 

Chhattisgarh (31.8%) has the highest percentage of Scheduled Tribes population followed by 

Jharkhand (26.3%) and Orissa (22.1%). These proportions are in the lowest in Uttar Pradesh (0.1%), 

Bihar (0.9%), T.N.(1.0%) and Kerala (1.1%). 





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Table1: General information of Jharkhand State 

Items Jharkhand India 

Total population (Census 2001) 26909428 1028832174 

Schedule Caste population (in million) 3.22 (12.0%) 166.64 (16.19%) 

Schedule Tribe population (in million) 7.08 (26.3%) 84.33 (8.19%) 

Rural populations 20908626 (77.7%) 742718043 (72.2%) 

Urban population 6000802 (22.3%) 28611413 (27.8%) 

Population below Poverty line (%) NA 26.10 

Pop. Density 274 324 

Literacy % 36.7% 64.8 

Female Literacy Rate (Census 2001) (%) 38.9 53.7 

Males 68.0% 75.3 

Crude Birth Rate (SRS 2008) 25.8 22.8 

Crude Death Rate (SRS 2008) 7.1 7.4 

Total Fertility Rate (SRS 2007) 3.2 2.7 

Infant Mortality Rate (SRS 2008) 46 53 

Maternal Mortality Ratio (SRS 2004-2006) 312 254 

Decadal Growth (Census 2001) (%) NA 21.54 

Sex Ratio (Census 2001) 941 933 

Source: Official website of Jharkhand Government (2001 Census) 

Jharkhand has 6 th 

largest population of tribals in the country and the recognition of 

Jharkhand is a result of the cultural specialty and diversity of the tribes. Tribes of Jharkhand are 

called the “Proto-austroloid” race. Most of the tribal languages are born from the “Austric” group. 

Only “Kurukh” language of the Oraon tribe and “Malto” language of the “Sauria Paharia” tribe are 





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closer of the Dravidian group. All tribes of Jharkhand have their own religious rituals, social customs, 

conventions, family, clan, birth, death beliefs etc. Different tribals groups found in Jharkhand (Table 

2). ST and SC population in target districts (Ranchi, Dumka, Gumla & Palamau) is given in Table 3. 

Table 2: Different tribal group present and their population in Jharkhand 

SL Tribal Group Populati 

on 

Remarks 

1 Santhal 2060732 It is the first important tribe of Jharkhand. Santhal is close to ‘Austric' 

tribes. Mother tongue of the Santhal tribe is Santhali. There are 12 

clans in Santhals. They are Hansda, Murmu, Hembrom, Kisku, Marandi, 

Soren, Baske, Tudu, Pauria, Besra, Chode and Bedia. The most popular 

Gods of Santhals are called – Singbonga & Thakur. 

2 Oraon 1048064 It is the second important tribe of Jharkhand and it belongs to ‘Proto- 

Austroloid' tribe race. Mother tongue of the Oraon tribe is ‘Kurukh'. 

This tribe is divided into 14 different clans. They are – Lakra, Runda, 

Gari, Tirky, Kispotta, Toppo, Ekka, Linda, Minz, Kuzur, Bandi, Bek, 

Khalkho and Kerketta. Their important festivals are “Karma” and 

“Sarhul”. 

3 Munda 845887 It is the third largest tribe of Jharkhand. One is the religious mukhiya 

called “Pahan” and the other is the administrative mukhiya called 

“Munda”. Their main God is “Singbonga”. Their place of worship is 

called “Sarna” and place of panchayat is called “Aakhra”. 

4 Ho 536524 It is the 4 th largest important tribe and it is mainly found in Kolhan area 

of Singhbhum district. Manki Munda administration is the traditional 

tribal ruling system of the Ho tribe. They have mainly 6 sub castes viz. 

Suryavanshi, Daulatvanshi, Gonjhuvanshi, Kheri, Manjhiya, Bhogti. 

5 Kharwar 222758 

6 Bhumij 136110 





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7 Khariya 141771 It is an “Aadim Kolariyan” tribe. This tribes is mainly divided into three 

branches – Pahari Khariya, Dudh Khariya and Dhelki Khariya. 

8 Lohara 169090 

9 chik Badaik 45645 

10 Souriya 

Pahariya 

61121 

11 Kora 21396 The Kora are very small tribe in Jharkhand. This tribe mainly resides in 

the Dumka district of the Santhal Paraganas. According to Risley, Kora, 

tribe is of Dravidian origin. 

12 Pahariya 13848 The parahiya are another small tribe and it resides in the Palamau, 

Latehar, Ranchi and Hazaribagh districts. Main occupation is to make 

baskets and beat drums. 

13 Kisan 28796 This tribe mainly resides in the forests of Ranchi and Palamau. This 

tribe is also called “Nagesia”. Their mother toungue is “Mundari”. 

14 Korwa 24027 This tribe mainly resides in the Latehar (Palamau Division). It is related 

to the Koleriyan tribe. This tribe has two sub castes (i) Pahari Korwa 

and (ii) Deeha/Dihariya Korwa. 

15 Banjara 432 Banjara are very Small tribe. This tribe is usually found in the Santhal 

Paraganas district. 

16 Kol 20432 It is related to “proto-Austroloid” group of the Kolariyan race. Their 

language is called “Kol Bhasa”. Kol tribes are divided into 12 clans. 

They are Hansda, Soren, Kisku, Marandi, Chaonde, Tudu, Hembrum, 

Baske, Besra, Chuniyar, Murmu and Kisnod. This tribe is the founder of 

the male dominated society. The Chief of the village is called Manjhi. 

17 Bediya 71719 This tribe resides mainly in Barkakhana area of the Hazaribagh district. 

The people of this tribe call themselves “Vedvani”. 

18 Mal Pahariya 60783 This tribe mainly resides in Dumka and Sahebganj area of the Santhal 





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Paraganas. Their mother tongue is “Malto” which belongs to the 

Dravid family. 

19 Gond 44005 This tribe is a branch of “Dravid”. The people of this tribe reside mainly 

in Ranchi, Palamau and Singhbhum area. Gond have their own social 

organization named Mahasabha . The Gond society is ruled by the rule 

of exogamy intermarriage between clans, which are bhaiband or 

brothers to each other, is also prohibited. Monogamy and partilocal 

residence are general rule. 

20 Mahali 91868 This tribe resides mainly in Ranchi, Gumla, Lohardaga, Hajazribagh, 

Dhanbad districts. Their main God is “Suryadev”. 

21 Chero 60116 It is an important tribe of Munda / Kolariyan Adiwasi family. Main 

occupation is agriculture. 

22 Asur 9100 It is an important tribe of Singhbhum district and it belongs to proto- 

Austroloid race. They speak “Maley” or Asuri language of the munda 

class and Asur language. Sabar, Khond, Gorait, Birhor, Karmali, Birjiya, 

Baiga, Bathudi. 

Table 3: Tribal population in selected districts of Jharkhand 

Districts Percent ST Total Total ST Per cent ST Total SC Per cent SC 

population to state Population population population population population 

ST population 

Ranchi 10.7% 1779269 649637 36.5 % 101321 5.7 % 

Dumka 7.3 % 950853 443285 46.6 % 52763 5.5 % 

Palamau 1.7% 1182770 106254 9.0 % 324223 27.4 % 

Gumla 8.1% 707555 493563 69.8 % 25608 3.6 % 

Jharkhand 28.0% 35185358 6088772 27.6 % 2650611 7.5 % 





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Status and Review 

3.1 Land Utilization Pattern 

The state having 24 districts and total geographical area is 79.71 lakh ha and an estimated 38 lakh ha 

is classified as cultivable. About 18 lakh hectare is the net sown area, comprising 22.7% of the total 

area and 47% of the cultivable area. The State has 9.9%, 7.2%, 3.48% and 15.22% of the total 

geographical area of the State as land put to non-agriculture use, barren & unutilized land, cultivable 

wasteland and current fallows, respectively (Table 4). The State has 23.33 lakh ha of land under 

forests, comprising 29.27% of the total geographical area, which is much above the national average 

of about 18%. The net irritated area is only 2.01 lakh hectare which is about 8% of the net sown area. 

The net sown area is less than half of all-India average (22.60% in Jharkhand while 46.10% in India). 

Percentage of net irrigated area in net sown area is only 10% against all-India average of 40.11%. 

About 90% of agricultural operations are depending on rainfall in this state. The average area of 

holding in Jharkhand is 1.58 ha and it was slightly higher than all-India average of 1.57 ha and the 

land surface is rugged and undulating, ranging from flat lands to almost steep slopes. The state 

produces a little less than half of its food grains requirement. As a result, per capita food grain 

availability has been 230g against 523g of all-India average and against 480g of minimum 

requirement. Additional annual production of 24-25 lakh tonnes will be an uphill task in a scenario 

where land holdings are small and continuously shrinking and pressure on land keeps increasing. 

Table 4: Land utilization pattern in Jharkhand 

S. No. Lands Area (Lakh/ha) Area (%) 

1 Forest land 23.33 29.27% 

2 Barren and uncultivated land 5.75 7.20 % 

3 Cultivable waste land 2.78 3.48 % 

4 Current fallow land 12.13 15.22 % 

5 Land put to non-agricultural use 7.90 9.90 % 





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6 Land under misc. tree, crops and groves 1.10 1.38 % 

7 Net area sown 18.07 22.68 % 

8 Other fallow land 7.79 9.77 % 

9 Permanent pasture and other grazing land 0.86 1.10 % 

Total geographical area 79.71 100.00 % 

10 Arable Lands 26.70 

11 Gross cropped area 20.69 

12 Additional area to be brought under 

cultivation 

8.72 

13 Area sown more than once 2.61 

14 Area under double cropping 2.60 

15 Estimated acid soil (upland and medium land) 16.0 

16 Net Irrigated land ] 2.01 

17 Scope for extending double cropping area 6.30 

18 Soil Erosion moderate to severe taken 30.0 

3.2 SOIL IN JHARKHAND 

The major area of the state covered with sandy loam to loam with acidic soils (pH 4.5–6.5) and 

having low fertility. About 66% area of soils are low in available phosphorous content, 18% soils low 

in K content, 38% soils low in S, 7% soils are deficient in available Zn, 4 % in available copper while 45 

% soils are deficient in available boron in the state. More than 70% of soils are deficit in organic 

carbon and micronutrients (Table 5). Majority of soils of the state have medium status of available 

nitrogen (280-560 kg/ha) and about 19.6% area have low available N content. About 49% area of 

soils are extremely acidic to strongly acidic (pH


Lowland. The region has a large number of small and marginal farmers (


Rajmahal area, micacious soil found in Koderma, Jhumeritilaiya, Barkagaon, and areas around the 

Mandar hill. Sandy soil are generally found in Hazaribagh and Dhanbad while black soil found in 

Rajmahal area and the laterite soil found in western part of Ranchi, Palamu, and parts of Santhal 

Parganas and Singhbhum. The water holding capacity of State soil is very low due to porous nature of 

the soil and undulating topography. Depending upon topography, soils are broadly classified into 

upland, medium land and lowland (Table 6). 

Upland: Upland soils are generally red, acidic (pH 5.5-5.9) and poor water holding capacity (WHC). 

Moisture is easily saturated during rains but release of moisture is very fast under upland. It is 

suitable for Kharif pulses (pigeon pea, urd, moong & kulthi). 

Medium land: Medium land soils is generally yellowish, slightly acidic (pH 6.0-6.5) and intermediate 

water holding capacity. It is suitable for Rabi pulses (chickpea, lentil & pea) and sequential cropping 

system, rice-chickpea/lentil, maize-chickpea/lentil may be taken. But in intercropping under irrigated 

situation, wheat + chickpea/mustard + chickpea/lentil can be taken 

Low land: This type of soils are grayish, slightly alkaline (pH 7.0-7.3) and high water holding capacity. 

Low land may be utilized for spring/summer. Low land is generally vacated after harvested of 

transplanted paddy in II nd week of December to II nd week of January and it takes time for removal of 

moisture. Farmers can be taken transplanted rice-spring/summer moong. 

Table 6: Land classes of Jharkhand State 

Group 

Sub 

Type 

Description 

group 

Don land Don I Low land Clay-loam soil, lowest in toposequence, suitable for long 

duration rice crop 

Don II Shallow land Clay loam soil and Best for rice production, Rarely faces 

drought, Suitable for medium duration rice 





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Don III 

Drought prone 

shallow land 

Clay loam soil, transitional lands between don & tanr, upper 

toposequence and suitable for short duration rice 

Tanr land Tanr I Upland Loam soil and land immediately adjacent to the houses. Land 

used for vegetables, maize and rice seedlings 

Tanr II Upland Sandy loam soil, gentle sloppy, good soil depth, low WHC, 

poor in organic matter, erosion prone, acidic in nature 

Tanr III Upland Sandy loam soil, sloppy, poor soil fertility, shallow soil depth, 

low WHC, Near foothills and acidic in nature 

Operational holdings in Jharkhand 

Agricultural economy of the state can also be characterized by the existence of large number of small 

and marginal farmers. Agricultural operation in the state is of the sub-existence type due to the 

adverse land-man ratio. Land distribution pattern among the cultivators is highly iniquitous and a 

large number of holdings are said to be uneconomic. About 69 % operational holdings are 0.37 

hectare, occupying only 21.44% area. Only 0.69% operational holdings are below 10 hectare, 

covering over 9% area. Majority of the farmers thus come under the category of small and marginal 

farmers subsisting on a very small carning from farming operations. The average size of land holding 

in the State is 1.58 hectares. The share of land holdings of small and marginal farmers (having 

landholding of up to 2 hectares) to the total holdings in the State is 82.6% and that of large farmers 

(having land holding of more than 10 hectares) is only 0.7%. The medium farmers, with land holdings 

of 2 to 10 hectares, have the share of 16.7 % to the total land holdings. The land holding pattern of 

various categories of farmers is shown in Table 7. 





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Table 7: Land Holding Pattern 

SL Level of farmers Average area (ha) Operational holding 

Number (lakhs) Percentage (%) 

1 Marginal (10.0 ha) 15.9 0.2 0.7 

Total 26.2 26.6 100.0 

The annual average rainfall in the state is about 1386 mm, which occurs mainly during in four 

months (June-Sept) Out of that, 80-85% received in 3½ months, from 15 th June to 30 th of Sept, 10- 

15% from Oct to Jan and very few rainfalls received in rest of the period (Table 8). Out of total rain, 

60% is used to be waste due to surface run-off and leaching. Therefore, only 40% rain remains left 

for crop use. As per estimate of average annual precipitation, about 20% water is lost by 

atmosphere, 50 % flow as surface runoff and balance 30% soaks into the ground as soil moisture and 

ground water. The state has immense potential of water harvesting and the suitable methods need 

to be perfected for application of stored water. To partially meet crop water requirement or in the 

rainfed project areas, rain water is to be conserved. It is done by enhancing infiltration of rainwater 

to fill up soil pores. Infiltration depends on soil texture at the surface, which cannot be changed. 

Hence, the land is configured to reduce runoff and give more time to rainwater and runoff to 

infiltrate. 





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Table 8: Meteorological features of different Agro-Ecological Zones of Jharkhand 

Rainfall (mm) Zone IV Zone V Zone VI 

June-September 1098 (82.4%) 1174 (83.3%) 1053 (80.6%) 

October-November 90 (6.0%) 96 (6.7%) 69 (5.3%) 

December-February 54 (4.1%) 71 (5.0%) 58 (4.4%) 

March-May 88 (6.1%) 68 (4.8%) 122 (9.4%) 

Total rainfall 1330 1409 1302 

Temperature ( 0 C) 

Maximum 44.2 43.6 44.8 

Minimum 4.8 5.3 6.6 

Average 25.3 25.8 27.2 

Relative humidity (%) 

4.30 am 62.5 56.5 63.0 

5.30 pm 47.5 42.0 65.0 

3.4 Food grains production in Jharkhand: 

The food grains production is very low in the state and not meeting the requirement of the people. 

The sustainable growth in agriculture sector is the “need of the hour” not only for the state but also 

for the country as a whole. Food grain crops grow in Jharkhand on about 2.38 million ha area, which 

represents 1.92% in all India acreage. The food grains production has gone up from 2.07 to 3.69 

million tones, which represent from 1.59-1.70% in All-India average between 2005-06 and 2006- 

2007. The food grains production trend in Jharkhand is to be increased from 2.07 m tones to 3.69 m 

tones between 2005-06 to 2006-07) as compared with other neighbor states like U.P. (41.21mt), 

W.B.(15.97mt), Bihar (11.10mt), Orissa (7.34mt), Chhattisgarh (5.81mt) and All-India (217.28mt). 





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3.5 Present position of different cereal crops in Jharkhand: 

About 91% of the cropped area is covered under food crops in Jharkhand including 84% 

under cereals and 7% only pulses. Cash crops constitute 3% followed by oil seeds, sugarcane and 

tobacco. The rest 6% of the cropped area is covered under vegetables and fruits. Among cereals, 

rice, maize, wheat, ragi is important. Rice is grown in three seasons in India, where Kharif season 

accounts for 88% production while Rabi covered only 12% production. Rice is the single most 

important food crop in India and occupies 44.0 m ha while Jharkhand contributes about 1.62 m ha 

under rice cultivation. During 2007-08, the area under rice is 16.44 lakh ha, production 33.26 lakh 

tones and yield 2023 kg/ha (Table 9). The yield of rice in Jharkhand is higher (1832 kg/ha) followed 

by W.B. (2593 kg/ha), U.P. (1879 kg/ha) and All-India average (2131 kg/ha). 

Maize is the 2 nd important crop of the state occupying 6% cropped area. The area of maize 

(2.40 lakh ha) in Jharkhand is higher than W.B. (0.90 lakh ha) followed by U.P. (8.7 lakh ha), Bihar (6.4 

m ha), and in India (78.9 lakh ha) during 2006-07. The current area under maize is around 2.37 lakh 

ha, production 3.56 lakh tones and yield 1500 kg/ha (Table 9). Maize does possess tremendous 

potential in diversified agriculture prospects in terms of feed for dairy, poultry, piggery and agroindustries. 

Wheat is 3 rd important crop of the state occupying nearly 3% of the cropped area under 

cereals crops in the Jharkhand. In the wake of the fast growing consumption demand of wheat in the 

state, some area of low yielding millets will have to be gradually replaced in the cropping system. 

The area under wheat is 86341 ha, 129511 tones production and yield 1500 kg/ha during 2007-08 

(Table 9). 

Coarse cereals are the 4 th important crops of the state, which occupying 2.45% cropped area 

under coarse cereals. The area of coarse cereals is 2.9 lakh ha in the state which is lower than 

neighbor states U.P (22.0 lakh ha), Bihar (6.9 lakh ha), Chhattisgarh (3.3 lakh ha), Orissa (1.6 lakh ha), 

W.B. (1.1 lakh ha), and in India (287.1 lakh ha) during 2006-07. The current area, production and 

productivity of marua, jowar and bajra are given in Table 9. 





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Table 9: Trends of area, production and yield of cereals crops in Jharkhand 

Area – (000) hectare, Production – ‘000’ Metric tonnes, Productivity– Kg/ha 

Year Head Rice Maize Wheat Marua Jowar Bajra Total 

Area 1463.700 156.910 65.940 40.400 0.390 0.420 1686.550 

2000-01 

Productio 

n 

2278.600 247.170 108.480 25.200 0.230 0.260 2544.250 

Yield 1584 1575 1742 624 590 619 1508 

Area 1520.610 139.880 65.380 40.90 0.390 0.430 1725.870 

2001-02 

Productio 

n 

2732.580 209.190 115.360 25.200 0.230 0.40 3057.130 

Yield 1930 1495 1811 624 590 558 1771 

Area 1383.290 157.630 68.190 12.100 1.490 0.340 1622.980 

2002-03 

Productio 

n 

2071.470 269.180 113.690 8.810 0.820 0.160 2464.130 

Yield 1639 1715 1706 728 548 480 1518 

Area 1363.510 179.930 74.550 19.270 1.220 0.570 1639.050 

2003-04 

Productio 

n 

2143.430 296.190 128.140 13.470 0.640 0.260 2582.130 

Yield 1720 1646 1410 698 522 462 1575 

Area 1276.420 191.250 64.500 17.370 0.350 0.310 1550.200 

2004-05 

Productio 

n 

1908.45 278.590 104.140 10.350 0.160 0.140 2301.820 

Yield 1495 1457 1614 596 464 452 1485 





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Page | 17


Area 1354.725 177.760 60.000 19.265 1.220 0.572 

2005-06 

Productio 

n 

1558.021 223.480 80.000 13.466 0.637 0.264 

Yield 1150 1259 1340 699 522 462 

Area 1623.624 240.863 84.317 8.830 0.212 0.064 

2006-07 

Productio 

n 

2967.763 296.410 128.875 6.512 0.119 0.032 

Yield 1832 1504 1528 787 561 500 

Area 1643.782 237.410 86.341 13.210 0.633 0.154 1981.536 

2007-08 

Productio 

n 

3326.407 356.115 129.511 7.738 0.384 0.156 3818.253 

Yield 2023 1500 1500 585 606 1012 1927 

Sources = Directorate of Agril. Dept., Jharkhand 

Pulses are not only the important food grain to supply protein which forms part of the 

vegetarian diet and it also useful in many ways. Pulses are also the rich source of protein and possess 

2-3 times more than cereals. Besides being rich in protein, they sustain productivity of cropping 

systems. Their ability to use atmospheric nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation is 

economically sounder and environmentally acceptable. 70% of area covered through pulses during 

rabi season while 30% covered during kharif season. Pulses account of 8.25% area under food grain 

crops and contribute about 2.53% of the total food grains production in the state. The area under 

pulse crops 3.89 lakh ha, production 2.98 lakh tones and yield 764 kg/ha during 2007-08 in the state 

(Table 10). The area under pulses is higher than W.B. (2.20 lakh ha) followed by U.P. (27.2 lakh ha), 

Chhatisgarh (9.1 lakh ha), Orissa (7.90 lakh ha), Bihar (6.10 lakh ha) and in India average (231.9 lakh 

ha). 





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Page | 18


Table 9: Area, Production and Productivity of Rice in Jharkhand 

Year 

Area 

Production 

Productivity 

Remarks 

(ha) 

(tons) 

(kg/ha) 

1995-96 1,166,000 1,724,000 1,478 - 

1996-97 1,164,000 1,723,000 1,480 - 

1997-98 1,037,000 2,306,000 2,223 Maximum 

productivity 

1998-99 1,159,000 1,485,000 1,281 Drought 

1999-00 1,222,000 1,284,000 1,050 Drought 

2000-01 1,420,244 1,755,110 1,235 - 

2001-02 1,520,611 2,732,584 1,797 Max. area & 

production 

2002-03 1,383,233 2,071,473 1,498 Drought 

2003-04 1,363,866 2,310,121 1,694 - 

2004-05 1,276,421 1,908,446 1,495 Drought 

2005-06 1,354,726 1,558,021 1,150 Drought 

2006-07 1,623, 614 2967,763 1,832 Normal 

2007-08 1,643,782 3,326,407 2,023 Maximum 

area, 

production 





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& Yield 

2008-09 1670.330 3400.187 2035 

Table 10: Rice area, production and productivity in different districts of Jharkhand 

Sl. 

No. 

Districts Area ( ha) Production ( tons) Yield ( Kg 

ha-1) 

2008-09 2008-09 

I. Central and north eastern plateau zone. 

1. Dumka 103995 256857 2470 

2. Deoghar 49005 149832 3058 

3. Godda 46712 143743 3077 

4. Pakur 47345 144097 3044 

5. Sahebganj 46303 92471 1997 

6. Jamtara 44193 11822 2675 

7. Hazaribag 107450 241547 2248 

8. Koderma 15090 36367 2410 

9. Chatra 32738 48789 1438 

10. Giridih 75465 229665 3343 

11. Bokaro 30276 46696 1542 

12. Dhanbad 50698 12542 2468 

Sub-Total Zone –I 649270 1414428 2178 

II. 

Western Plateau Zone 

13. Ranchi 228691 647195 2830 

14. Lohardaga 43100 71546 1660 

15. Gumla 177250 411243 2320 





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16. Palamau 44414 695508 1565 

17. Garhwa 20625 33804 1639 

18. Simdega 89138 251369 2820 

19. Lathehar 47229 74622 1580 

Sub-Total Zone – II 650447 2185287 3359 

III. 

South eastern plateau zone 

20. East 

Singhbhum 

21. West 

Singhbhum 

112358 303940 2714 

166945 204507 1225 

22. Saraikela 91300 205425 2250 

Sub-Total Zone III 370603 713872 1926 

Total 1670320 4313587 2582 

LIST OF RICE VARIETIES RELEASED AND RECOMMENDED FOR JHARKHAND 

Table 3: Lists of rice varieties released and recommended for Jharkhand state 

S.No. Variety Year of 

notification 

Duration Eco-System Special features 

1. Anjali 2002 95 Rainfed 

Upland 

direct Seeded 

2. Birsamati 2005 130 Irrigated 

Rainfed 

Moderately 

tolerant to 

drought 

Resistant to Blast, 

BLB 

Page | 21 





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Lowland 

3. Birsa Vikas Dhan 110 2005 95 Rainfed 

Upland 


BLB 

4. Birsa Vikas Dhan 109 2005 85 Rainfed 

Upland 

Resistant to Blast 

5. Hazaridhan 2005 120 Rainfed & 

Lowland 

Resistant to blast, 

BLB. 

6. Sadabahar 2005 105 Rainfed 

Upland 


BLB 

7. Birsa Dhan-108 2006 70 Rainfed 

Upland 


BLB 

8. Shivam 2006 125 Irrigated Resistant to Blast, 

BLB 

9. Vandana 2002 90 Upland 

Rainfed 

Weed 

competitive, 

Drought tolerant 

10. Anjali Upland 

11. Virendra 2006 90 Upland Resistant to Gall 

midge, Blast 





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12. Birsa Dhan 201 1995 115 Rain fed & 

Tolerant to Blast 

Medium Land 

13. Birsa Dhan 202 1995 130 Rainfed Resistant to Gall 

midge 

14. Sugandha 1983 150 Rainfed Resistant to Gall 

midge, blast 

15. Lalat 1968 125 Irrigated Resistant to Gall 

midge, blast 

16. BR 10 1955 150 Rainfed Low 

land 

17. Rajashri 1987 145 Rainfed & 

Resistant to Blast 

Lowland 

18. Swarna (MTU 7029) 1987 140 Rain fed, 

Lowland 

Resistant to BLB 

and Tolerant to 

many diseases 

19. Sambha Mahsoori 

(RPT 5209) 

1986 145 Irrigated & 

Low 

Good grain quality 

Land 

Page | 23 





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