Kharif crops, also known as monsoon crops or autumn crops, are domesticated plants that are cultivated and harvested in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh during the Indian subcontinents monsoon season, which typically lasts from June to November, depending on the area. These crops are sown at the beginning of the first rains during the advent of the south-west monsoon season and are harvested at the end of the monsoon season, usually from the third week of September to October. Kharif crops require good rainfall and are well-suited to regions with heavy rainfall and warm climates, such as the coastal states of India, including West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Assam, as well as in the neighboring countries of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Some examples of Kharif crops include rice, maize, cotton, soybean, and various pulses. These crops are heavily dependent on the southwest monsoon winds, accounting for 75% of India’s total rainfall, and are rain-fed crops, making their cultivation increasingly challenging and unpredictable.
In India, rice, maize, and cotton are some of the major Kharif crops, and they are grown on millions of acres of land, providing livelihoods for millions of farmers and playing a vital role in the countrys economy. Kharif rice, for example, accounts for 85 percent of total production and is mainly grown in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, South Peninsula, and Northeastern states.
In summary, Kharif crops are an essential part of agriculture in the Indian subcontinent, and they are sown and harvested during the monsoon season, contributing significantly to the regions economy and livelihoods of farmers.
