Agroclimatic Zones of Himachal Pradesh

Agroclimatic Zones of Himachal Pradesh

On the basis of Agroclimatic Zones of India, the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh falls under the Zone I, namely Western Himalayan Region, of India. At the zonal level, Himachal Pradesh again can be subdivided into four subzones on the basis of relief, climate, rainfall and temperature.

The four agroclimatic zones of Himachal Pradesh are

Zone I
Low Hills and Valley
Districts: Una, Major Parts of Bilaspur, Parts of Kangra, Solan, Chamba and Sirmaur
Climate: Sub Tropical
Elevation: 365-914 m
Rainfall: 600-1000 mm
Kharif Crops: Maize, Rice, Mash
Rabi Crops: Wheat, Barley, Gram
Fruit Crops: Mango, Citrus, Guava
Soil: loamy to sandy loam

Zone II
Mid Hills
Region: Major Parts of Mandi and Solan, Parts of Hamirpur, Kangra, Sirmaur, Kullu, Chamba and Shimla
Climate: Sub Temperate
Elevation: 915-1523 m
Rainfall: 900-1000 mm
Kharif Crops: Maize, Sorghum, Blackgram
Rabi Crops: Wheat, Barley, Gram
Fruit Crops: Pear, Peach, Plum, Apricot, and Apple
Soil: loam to clay loam; deficient  in  nitrogen  and  phosphorus

Zone III
High Hills
Region: Major parts of Shimla and Kullu, and Parts of Solan, Kangra, Chamba, Mandi, and Sirmaur
Climate: Temperate
Elevation: 1524-2472 m
Rainfall: 900-1000 mm
Kharif Crops: Maize, Blackgram, Amaranthus
Rabi Crops: Wheat, Barley, Buckwheat
Fruit Crops: Pear, Peach, Plum, Apricot, Persimmon, Kiwi and Apple
Soil: silt  loam  to  loam;  deficient  in  nitrogen  and  phosphorus

Zone IV
Alpine Region
Region: Lahul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Parts of Chamba and a minor section of Shimla
Climate: Dry Temperate
Elevation: 2473 m and above
Rainfall: 250-400 mm
Kharif Crops: Potato and Peas
Rabi Crops: Wheat, Barley, Rajmah, Buckwheat
Fruit Crops: Apricot, Apple and Grape
Soil: sandy loams

Reference
Gupta, B & Sarvade, S & Singh, Matber. (2017). Species Composition, Biomass Production and Carbon Storage Potential of Agroforestry Systems in Himachal Pradesh.