What are Kharif Crops? Kharif crops (also known as monsoon crops) are crops that are sown at the beginning of the rainy season (monsoon) and harvested at the end of the monsoon season.
Sowing Period: June – July (With the onset of the southwest monsoon). Harvesting Period: September – October (End of monsoon). Key Requirement: These crops require high temperature, high humidity, and substantial rainfall (or irrigation) to grow.
Examples of Kharif Crops by Category To help you identify them easily, here are the most common examples broken down by type: 1. Cereals (Grains) These are grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain.
Rice (Paddy): The most important Kharif crop. It requires the most water and is the staple food for a large part of the world. Maize (Corn): Used for food, fodder, and industrial products. Jowar (Sorghum): A major millet crop grown in drier areas. Bajra (Pearl Millet): Highly drought-tolerant, grown in arid regions. Ragi (Finger Millet): A nutritious millet grown mainly in South India. kharif crops examples
2. Pulses (Legumes) These are essential sources of protein. They generally require less water than cereals.
Arhar (Pigeon Pea/Toor Dal): A very common pulse in Indian cuisine. Moong (Green Gram): A short-duration crop. Urad (Black Gram): Used in various culinary preparations. Cowpea (Lobia): Grown for grains and fodder.
3. Oilseeds These crops are grown primarily for the extraction of oil. What are Kharif Crops
Groundnut (Peanut): Major oilseed crop; requires sandy soil. Soybean: A major source of edible oil and protein meal. Sesame (Til): Grown for its oil-rich seeds. Castor: Used for medicinal and industrial oil. Sunflower: While some varieties are Rabi, many are grown during Kharif.
4. Cash Crops These are grown for sale to return a profit rather than for farmer subsistence.
Cotton: The most important fiber crop of the Kharif season. It requires warm weather and moderate rain. Jute: A fiber used to make burlap, hessian, and gunny sacks. Sugarcane: A long-duration crop (technically planted before monsoon but harvested late in the year; often categorized alongside Kharif due to its harvest time). Tobacco: Grown for its leaves. Harvesting Period: September – October (End of monsoon)
5. Vegetables Many vegetables thrive during the monsoon season.
Okra (Lady’s Finger/Bhindi) Bottle Gourd (Lauki) Bitter Gourd (Karela) Brinjal (Eggplant) Tomato Cucumber