The Kharif season, also known as the monsoon season, typically begins in June and lasts until September. This season coincides with the southwest monsoon, which brings much-needed rainfall to the country. Kharif crops are sown at the onset of the monsoon season and are harvested in autumn. The major Kharif crops grown in India include:
| Feature | Kharif | Rabi | Zaid | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Heavy (600-1500 mm) | Low (Western disturbances) | None (Irrigation only) | | Temperature | Hot & Humid (25-35°C) | Cool & Dry (10-20°C) | Very Hot (25-40°C+) | | Risk Factor | Monsoon failure | Frost & unseasonal rain | Heat wave & water cost | | Primary Zone | Peninsular & Eastern India | North-Western India | Scattered across irrigated pockets | kharif rabi zaid
Rabi, meaning "spring," is the winter cropping season. Unlike Kharif, Rabi agriculture is less dependent on rain and more on soil moisture retained from the monsoon and ground-level irrigation. This season is the domain of Wheat, Gram, Mustard, and Barley . The Kharif season, also known as the monsoon
The traditional definitions of these seasons are blurring. With changing climate patterns, the onset of Kharif is shifting, and the window for Rabi is shrinking. The "Zaid" window is extending in some parts, offering an opportunity to shift cropping patterns northward. The major Kharif crops grown in India include:
While the government heavily incentivizes Kharif (Rice) and Rabi (Wheat) through MSP (Minimum Support Price), the Zaid season lacks similar structural support. This skew has led to a monoculture culture, degrading soil health. Promoting Zaid crops (pulses and oilseeds) could help correct the nutrient imbalance in Indian soil and the nutritional imbalance in the Indian diet.
From the Arabic kharif meaning "autumn." Timeline: Sowing in June-July , Harvesting in September-October . Dependence: Entirely dependent on the Southwest Monsoon.