The word "Kharif" comes from the Arabic word for "autumn." These crops are sown with the (typically June-July) and harvested after the rains recede (September-October).
Rabi crops are the opposite; they thrive in the cold. They require relatively less water and rely on the morning dew and winter rains for irrigation.
In summary, while the world sees spring, summer, and autumn, an Indian farmer's year is defined by two great battles: one against the monsoon (Kharif) and one against the winter chill (Rabi). Both are vital to the nation's plate and economy.
India is an agrarian country, and its farming calendar is largely dictated by the whims of the monsoon. Indian crops are broadly divided into two main categories based on the season they are sown and harvested: and Rabi crops . A third, smaller season (Zaid) exists between them, but the primary distinction lies between these two.