Kharif crops, also known as , are domesticated plants that are cultivated and harvested in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh during the rainy season.
| Feature | Kharif Crops | Rabi Crops | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Autumn Crops | Spring Crops | | Sowing Period | Beginning of Monsoon (June-July) | Beginning of Winter (Oct-Nov) | | Harvesting Period | End of Monsoon (Sept-Oct) | End of Winter (March-April) | | Climate Required | Hot and Wet (Rainy) | Cool and Dry | | Rainfall Dependency | High (Southwest Monsoon) | Low (Irrigation/Western Disturbances) | | Primary Examples | Rice, Maize, Cotton, Millets | Wheat, Gram, Mustard, Barley | kharif crops and rabi crops
June to July (at the onset of the Southwest monsoon). Harvesting Season: September to October. Kharif crops, also known as , are domesticated
Agriculture in the Indian subcontinent is deeply intertwined with the monsoon. The agricultural year is primarily divided into two distinct cropping seasons based on the arrival and departure of the monsoon rains: and Rabi . Understanding the difference between these two is essential to grasping the rhythm of the region's agrarian economy. Agriculture in the Indian subcontinent is deeply intertwined
The primary factor distinguishing Kharif from Rabi is the .
The most important Kharif crop, requiring flooded fields. Maize: Known as the "queen of cereals."
