Climatic characteristics and sowing timelines
Kharif crops require warm temperatures, high atmospheric humidity, and consistent soil moisture during early vegetative growth stages, followed by drier, sunny conditions for ripening and grain filling.
- Sowing window: June to July depending on the advance of the southwest monsoon across states.
- Growing conditions: Warm tropical temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius with adequate rainfall.
- Harvesting period: September to November as monsoon rains recede and cooler autumn weather sets in.
- Key agro-climatic dependency: High correlation with cumulative monsoon rainfall distribution and soil drainage.
Major Kharif crops cultivated across India
A diverse range of food grains, commercial fibres, and oilseeds form the backbone of the Indian Kharif harvest.
- Cereals: Paddy (rice), maize, pearl millet (bajra), and sorghum (jowar).
- Oilseeds: Soybean, groundnut, sesame, and sunflower in rainfed regions.
- Pulses: Pigeon pea (arhar/tur), green gram (moong), and black gram (urad).
- Commercial and cash crops: Cotton, sugarcane, and jute across major river basins and central plains.
Field preparation, water management, and agronomy
Proper field drainage is crucial during Kharif to prevent waterlogging and root rot diseases during heavy downpours. Farmers should carry out deep summer ploughing before the rains, apply well-decomposed farmyard manure, procure certified high-germination seeds, and implement integrated pest management to tackle early sucking pests and fungal blights.
Official source
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Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the primary difference between Kharif and Rabi seasons?
Kharif crops are sown with the summer monsoon (June-July) and harvested in autumn, whereas Rabi crops are sown in winter (October-November) and harvested in spring.
Why is field drainage critical during the Kharif season?
Excess waterlogging from heavy monsoon spells can suffocate root systems and cause seedling blight in crops like soybean, maize, and cotton.
Which pulse crop is most widely grown during Kharif?
Pigeon pea (arhar/tur), green gram (moong), and black gram (urad) are the leading Kharif pulses in India.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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