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Kharif and Rabi Crops, Examples, Difference

19-12-2024

12:30 PM

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1 min read

Prelims: Indian & World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India & the World.

Mains:  Major crop-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, - different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.

Rabi crops, cultivated during the spring season (November-April), include wheat, barley, and mustard, requiring cooler temperatures and less water. Kharif crops, grown in the monsoon season (June-October), include rice, maize, and cotton, thriving in hot, humid conditions with substantial rainfall. Zaid crops, planted between Rabi and Kharif (March-June), like watermelon and muskmelon, are short-duration crops, drought-resistant, and require less water. 

Key producing states for each crop type vary, with Rabi crops dominating in the north and Kharif in the south, while Zaid crops are cultivated in various regions across India.

Kharif and Rabi Crops

India, with its varied climatic conditions, experiences multiple farming seasons. The timing for planting crops differs based on factors like the type of crop, season, region, and climate. In India, crops are generally divided into three main planting seasons: Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid. 

  • The Kharif season, also called the monsoon season, usually begins in June and ends in September. 
  • The Rabi season, or winter season, lasts from October to March. 
  • The Zaid season, which corresponds to summer cropping, runs from March to June. 

These distinct farming seasons allow farmers to diversify their crops and income, fostering overall agricultural growth in the country. Pakistan and Bangladesh are two other countries that are using the terms ‘Kharif’ and ‘rabi’ to describe their cropping patterns.

What is Rabi Crop? 

The term ‘Rabi’ is derived from Arabic meaning “spring”. Rabi crops are cultivated during the spring season, which typically lasts from November to April in India. Examples of Rabi crops include wheat, barley, mustard, peas, and gram (chickpea). Key characteristics of Rabi crops include:

  • Sowing Period: October to December, ideally after the monsoon rains have ceased.
  • Harvesting Period: Between April to June, coinciding with the warmer spring weather.
  • Climate Requirements: Rabi crops thrive in cooler temperatures, typically between 15 to 20 degrees Celsius.
  • Water Needs: They generally require less water than Kharif crops, making them suitable for areas with limited irrigation.
  • Soil Type: Rabi crops prefer well-drained soils like loamy, sandy loam, and alluvial soils that effectively retain moisture.

Examples of Rabi Crop

Rabi crops are winter crops sown after the monsoon and harvested in spring, thriving in cool, dry conditions. Examples of rabi crops include:

  • Cereals: Wheat, Barley, Oats
  • Pulses: Chickpea (Gram), Lentils, Peas, Pigeon Pea, Kulthi (Horse Gram), Masoor (Red Lentil), Lobias (Lobia Beans)
  • Oilseeds: Mustard, Linseed, Sesame
  • Vegetables: Peas, Onion, Garlic, Potato, Carrot, Cauliflower, Beetroot, Brinjal (Eggplant), Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Radish, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Tomato
  • Fruit: Strawberry
  • Spices and Seeds: Cumin, Coriander, Fenugreek
  • Seed Plants: Alfalfa (Lucerne), Isabgol (Psyllium), Sunflower

What is Kharif Crop?

The term "Kharif" is derived from Arabic, meaning "autumn." Kharif crops are cultivated during the monsoon season, which typically begins in June and lasts until October in India. Examples of Kharif crops include rice, maize, cotton, bajra (pearl millet), jowar (sorghum), groundnut (peanut), soybean, sugarcane, and pulses like urad (black gram) and tur (red gram). Key characteristics include:

  • Sowing and Harvesting: Kharif crops are sown at the onset of the monsoon rains (around June to July) and harvested from September to October.
  • Water Requirements: These crops require substantial rainfall, typically between 100 to 150 cm, making them suitable for regions with heavy monsoons.
  • Climatic Conditions: Kharif crops thrive in warm and humid conditions, which are prevalent during the monsoon season.
  • Soil Type: They grow best in loamy or alluvial soils that retain moisture well.

Examples of Kharif Crop

Kharif crops are monsoon crops sown with the rains and harvested at the season's end, thriving in warm, humid conditions. Examples of Kharif crops include:

  • Cereals: Rice, Maize, Sorghum (Jowar), Bajra (Pearl Millet)
  • Pulses: Green Gram, (Moong), Black Gram (Urad), Pigeon Pea (Toor)
  • Oilseeds: Soybean, Groundnut
  • Fiber Crops: Cotton
  • Fruits: Banana, Mango, Watermelon
  • Vegetables: Okra (Ladyfinger), Brinjal (Eggplant)

Difference between Kharif and Rabi Crops

The difference between Rabi and Kharif crops lies in their sowing seasons, climate preferences, and water dependency. Kharif crops are sown during the monsoon (June-July), requiring hot, humid conditions and substantial rainfall, while Rabi crops are sown post-monsoon (October-November), thriving in cooler temperatures and often needing irrigation.

Feature

Kharif Crops

Rabi Crops

Sowing

June to July (onset of monsoon)

October to November (After monsoon)

Harvesting

September to October (autumn)

April to June (spring)

Climate Requirements

Requires hot and humid conditions with substantial rainfall.

It grows best in cooler temperatures, ideally between 15°C and 20°C, with less water requirement.

Water Dependency

Highly dependent on monsoon rains; too much or too little rain can affect yield.

Less affected by rainfall; often requires irrigation, especially in dry regions.

Soil

Prefers well-drained soils that can retain moisture during the rainy season.

Thrives in loamy or alluvial soils that are well-drained but can retain some moisture.

Crops 

Rice, maize, cotton, bajra (pearl millet), and soybean.

Wheat, barley, mustard, peas, and chickpeas.

Growth Duration

Shorter growth duration, ranging from 90 to 150 days depending on the crop.

Longer growth period, ranging from 120 to 180 days depending on the crop.

Nutrient Requirements

Generally requires high nitrogen levels due to rapid growth and lush foliage.

Often requires balanced nutrients, including phosphorus and potassium for root development and grain filling.

Pest and Disease Pressure

Higher pest and disease pressure due to humid conditions during the monsoon season.

Lower pest pressure but susceptible to certain diseases during cooler months; requires careful management.

What are Zaid Crops? 

Zaid crops are summer-season crops cultivated primarily from March to June. They are often referred to as the 'filler' crops between Rabi and Kharif. Examples of Zaid crops include watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, bitter gourd, pumpkin, fodder crops, sugarcane, guar, strawberries, and pulses like pigeon pea and lentils. 

Features of Zaid Crops

Features of Zaid crops include being grown between the Rabi and Kharif seasons, thriving in hot, dry conditions, requiring less water, improving soil fertility, and providing high nutritional value.

  • Short Duration: Zaid crops have a rapid growth cycle, usually maturing within 60 to 90 days after sowing. This allows farmers to maximize their cropping potential by growing multiple crops in a year.
  • Sowing and harvesting: They are typically planted after the Rabi season and harvested before the onset of the Kharif season.
  • Water Efficiency: They generally require less water compared to Kharif and Rabi crops, making them suitable for regions with limited water availability.
  • Drought Tolerance: Many Zaid crops are drought-resistant and can withstand hot and dry conditions, which is beneficial during the summer months.
    • Zaid crops require longer daylight hours for flowering.
  • Lower Pest Pressure: The dry conditions of summer make Zaid crops less prone to pests and diseases, contributing to higher yields when managed properly.
  • Soil Health Improvement: Cultivating legumes as Zaid crops can enhance soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.
  • Nutritional Value: Many Zaid crops are rich in vitamins and minerals, contributing positively to dietary needs.

Examples of Zaid crops

Zaid crops are a unique category of crops grown during the short period between the Rabi and Kharif seasons, primarily in regions with adequate irrigation. Here are some examples of Zaid crops:

  • Fruits: Watermelon, Muskmelon, Cucumber, Bitter Gourd, Pumpkin
  • Vegetables: Brinjal (Eggplant), Okra (Ladyfinger), Tomato
  • Pulses: Green Gram (Moong), Black Gram (Urad), Pigeon Pea (Arhar)
  • Fodder Crops: Guar (Cluster Beans), Sugarcane

Kharif and Rabi Crops UPSC PYQs

Question 1: With reference to the cultivation of Kharif crops in India in the last five years, consider the following statements: (UPSC Prelims 2019)

  1. Area under rice cultivation is the highest.
  2. Area under the cultivation of jowar is more than that of oilseeds.
  3. Area of cotton cultivation is more than that of sugarcane.
  4. Area under sugarcane cultivation has steadily decreased.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 3 only 
  2. 2, 3 and 4 only 
  3. 2 and 4 only 
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (a)

Question 2: Consider the following crops: (UPSC Prelims 2013)

  1. Cotton
  2. Groundnut
  3. Rice
  4. Wheat

Which of these are Kharif crops?

  1. 1 and 4
  2. 2 and 3 only 
  3. 1, 2 and 3
  4. 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (c)

Kharif and Rabi Crops FAQs

Q1. What is the Rabi season period?

Ans. The Rabi season typically falls from November to April.

Q2. What is the Kharif crop season?

Ans. The Kharif crop season occurs from June to October, coinciding with the monsoon rains.

Q3. What is the difference between Rabi, Kharif and Zaid crops?

Ans. Rabi crops are sown in winter and harvested in spring, Kharif crops are sown during the monsoon and harvested in autumn, while Zaid crops are grown in summer between Rabi and Kharif seasons.

Q4. Is turmeric a kharif or rabi plant?

Ans. Turmeric is a Kharif crop, typically sown at the beginning of the monsoon season.

Q5. What is Zaid crop with an example?

Ans. Zaid crops are seasonal crops grown between March and June; examples include watermelon and cucumber.