Changing crop pattern in India is as under:

1. Dominance of food crops over non food crops: At the time of independence, more than 75% of total area was under the production of food crops. Gradually with the commercialization of agriculture the farmers in India have started shifting area to non-food crops. Now the area under food crops has declined to 65.8% in 2000.

2. Variety of crops grown: Almost every kind of crop is grown in India as it has the variety of soils. These are food crops, fibre crops, oil seeds and medicinal plants and spices.

3. Dominance of cereals among food crops: Within a broad group of food crops cereals like wheat and rice dominate. About 82% of the area under food crops has been put to cultivation of cereals.

4. Decline in coarse cereals: Jwar, bajra, maize, millets, barley etc. are called coarse or inferior cereals. The area under these crops to the total area of cereals has declined from 48% in 1950-51 to 29% (2001).

5. Declining importance of kharif crops: Till recently kharif crops have been contributing a large share in the crop production in India. But this dominance is on the decline. The share of kharif has declined from 71% in the 1970 to 49% in 2003-04. This makes a significant change in Indian agricultural practices after the Green Revolution. The kharif crops are not reliable because they are dependent on rainfall.