Question

Differentiate between Rabi and Kharif crops on the basis of time period and season in which they
are grown.​

Answer 1

Explanation:

Rabi crops or rabi harvest are agricultural crops that are sown in winter and harvested in the spring in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The opposite of the rabi crop is the kharif crop which is grown after the rabi and zaid (zaa-id) crops are harvested one after another respectively.

Answer 2

Explanation:

All crops do not grow in the same season. Different crops have specific requirements and suitable climatic conditions. Based on the climatic conditions, crops in India are broadly classified into two categories:

- Kharif crops

- Rabi crops

Kharif Crops

The Kharif cropping season starts with the onset of the Indian subcontinent’s monsoon. Kharif crops are typically sown at the beginning of the first monsoon rains (depends on region to region). Harvesting season begins from the 3rd week of September to October (the exact harvesting dates differ from region to region).

Unlike Rabi crops, Kharif crops require good rainfall. The output of these crops depends upon the time and amount of rainwater. Paddy, maize, bajra, jowar are a few of the Kharif crops grown in India.

Examples of Kharif Crops

Following are some of the examples of Kharif crops:

- Rice

- Maize

- Sorghum

- Bajra

- Soybean

- Cotton

Rabi Crops

Rabi crops are known as winter crops. They are grown in October or November. The crops are then harvested in spring. These crops require frequent irrigation because these are grown in dry areas. Wheat, gram, barley are some of the rabi crops grown in India.

Examples of Rabi Crops

Following are some of the examples of rabi crops:

- Wheat

- Barley

- Oats

- Pulses

- Mustard

- Linseed

However, it is of utmost importance for all to know the difference between Rabi and Kharif crops, as the prices of grains and vegetables depend on the yield of these two.

Sowing Season

Kharif crops are sown early-May – usually at the beginning of the first monsoon rains.

Rabi crops are sown around mid-November – preferably after the monsoon rains.

Also known as

Monsoon crops/ Autumn Crops

Winter crops

Rainfall Pattern

Crops are drastically affected – too little or too much rainfall can lay waste to the efforts. Generally not affected (however, rain in winter can potentially spoil rabi crops).

Essential Factors

Requires hot weather and a large amount of water to grow.

Requires warm climate for seed germination and cold climate to grow.

Harvesting Months

Usually between October and November (Please note – exact harvesting season varies according to the crops and region)

Generally between April and May (please note – exact harvesting season varies according to the crops and region)

Term Origins/ Etymology

“Kharif” translates to “autumn season” in Arabic

“Rabi” translates to “spring season” in Arabic

Hope this helped!♡