Kharif season: Monsoon cropping calendar
- Sowing window: June to July with the arrival of South-West monsoon rains; harvested in September to October.
- Climatic needs: Warm, humid weather with high rainfall during vegetative growth and sunny weather at maturity.
- Key Kharif crops: Paddy (rice), maize, jowar, bajra, soybean, cotton, groundnut, pigeon pea (arhar), and green gram (moong).
Rabi season: Winter cropping calendar
- Sowing window: October to November as winter begins; harvested in March to April before peak summer heat.
- Climatic needs: Cool temperatures and moist soil during germination and vegetative growth, with warm, dry sunshine during grain ripening.
- Key Rabi crops: Wheat, barley, mustard, chickpea (chana), field peas, lentil, and potato.
Zaid season: Summer cropping calendar
Zaid is the short summer cropping season from March to June between Rabi harvest and Kharif sowing. It requires hot, dry weather and reliable irrigation. Major Zaid crops include fast-maturing cucurbits and vegetables such as watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, bitter gourd, and summer moong.
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Common questions
What are the three main cropping seasons in India?
The three main cropping seasons are Kharif (monsoon season), Rabi (winter season), and Zaid (summer season).
Which season is rice primarily grown in?
Rice (paddy) is predominantly a Kharif crop sown in June-July and harvested in autumn, though irrigated summer (Boro/Garma) crops are also cultivated.
Why is crop rotation across seasons important?
Rotating cereals with legumes across seasons breaks pest cycles, conserves soil nutrients, fixes atmospheric nitrogen, and maintains soil structure.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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