What are the cropping season found in India. Write in briefly.
Answers
Kharif :
Kharif crops are usually sown with the beginning of the first rains in January, during the south-east monsoon season in parts of India and in Bangladesh. In other parts like Maharashtra, the west coast of India and in Pakistan that see rains in June, kharif crops are sown in May, June and July.
In India, the kharif season varies by crop and state, with kharif starting at the earliest in May and ending at the latest in January, but is popularly considered to start in June and to end in October. Kharif stand in contrast with the Rabi crops, cultivated during the dry season. In Kharif season the seeds are sown in the beginning of the Monsoon season. After maturation these crops are harvested at the end of monsoon season(oct-Nov)
Kharif crops are usually sown with the beginning of the first rains towards the end of May in the southern state of Kerala during the advent of south-west monsoon season. As the monsoon sowing dates vary accordingly and reach July in some north Indian states.
These crops are dependent on the quantity of rain water as well its timing. Too much, too little or at the wrong time may lay waste the whole year's efforts.
Rabi :
The rabi crops are sown around mid-November, preferably after the monsoon rains are over, and harvesting begins in April/May. The crops are grown either with rainwater that has percolated into the ground, or using irrigation. A good rain in winter spoils the rabi crops but is good for kharif crops.
The major rabi crop in India is wheat, followed by barley, mustard, sesame and peas. Peas are harvested early, as they are ready early: Indian markets are flooded with green peas from January to March, peaking in February.
Many crops are cultivated in both kharif and rabi seasons. The agriculture crops produced in India are seasonal in nature and highly dependent on these two monsoons.