Types of Crops | Difference between Rabi and Kharif Crops
Study the major crops of India which are Rabi, Kharif, and Zaid crops.
A crop is a plant product which is cultivated as food for humans or fodder for livestock. There are different types of crops that grow in different seasons in India. Based on the Indian cropping season, there are two types of crops- Rabi and Kharif Crops. The third type of crop is grown in summers, which is called Zaid crop.
The terms Rabi and Kharif crops are taken from the Arabic language where Rabi means spring and Kharif refers to autumn crops. Here you will learn major differences between Rabi and Kharif crops along with their examples. Further know about Zaid crops and their examples.
Let us familiarize ourselves with different types of crops in India below.
Types of Crops
Know about Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid crops in detail below. Also, study the difference between Rabi and Kharif crops along with popular examples.
1. Rabi Crops
Most of us love the winter season and relish the taste of food products made available during this season. Rabi crops are called winter crops as their seeds are sown at the starting of the winter season and achieve their full growth by the end of February. These crops are harvested at the end of the winter season or at the beginning of the spring season.
Rabi crops require dry conditions and timely irrigation to grow fully. These crops are grown in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Examples of Rabi crops
The list of crops that are grown between October and February are listed below.
- Wheat
- Pulses
- Barley
- Cereals
- Mustard
- Linseed
2. Kharif Crops
Rainy season gives us much-required relief from the scorching heat in May and June. It is a perfect season for Kharif crops to grow and that is why these crops are called monsoon crops. The seeds are Kharif crops are sown at the beginning of June and achieve full growth by the end of October.
The quality and quantity of crops depend on the rainfall patterns. These crops require good rainfall for their optimal growth. Kharif crops are grown in Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Examples of Kharif Crops
The list of crops that are grown between June and October are mentioned below.
- Cotton
- Sugarcane
- Paddy
- Maize
- Bajra
- Groundnut
- Jowar
3. Zaid Crops
While we hate summers, there are crops that we can only grow in summers, these are called Zaid crops. The seeds of such crops are sown at the beginning of March and reach their full growth potential by the end of July.
Zaid crops are best grown on irrigated lands and farmers do not have to wait for the rainy season for their complete growth. These crops are grown in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
Examples of Zaid Crops
The list of crops that are grown between March and July are listed below.
- Rice
- Maize
- Sunflower
- Vegetables
- Groundnut
Difference between Rabi and Kharif Crops
To have a clearer picture in mind, go through the key differences between Kharif and Rabi crops below.
Rabi Crops | Kharif Crops | ||
1 | Rabi crops are sown at the beginning of the winter season and harvested by the end of February or March. | 1 | Kharif crops are sown at the onset of monsoon season (June/July) and harvested by the end of October. |
2 | Rabi crops are also called winter crops. | 2 | Kharif crops are alternatively known as monsoon crops. |
3 | These crops are best grown in dry conditions with timely irrigation facility. | 3 | These crops require moist climate to complete their full growth. |
4 | Harvesting month could either be March or April. | 4 | Harvesting month could either be September or October. |
5 | The examples of Rabi crops are Wheat, Pulses, Cereals, Barley, etc. | 5 | The examples of Kharif crops are Cotton, Sugarcane, Paddy, Maize, etc. |
We have discussed different types of crops that either fall under the category of Rabi, Kharif or Zaid crops. However, crops like a tomato can be cultivated in all the seasons. As a result, it falls under all three categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Kharif crops are called monsoon crops?
Kharif crops are called monsoon crops as they are sown at the onset of monsoon season i.e. June or July. These crops are harvested by the end of September or October when they reach their full growth.
- Why Rabi crops are called winter crops?
Rabi crops are called winter crops as they are sown at the beginning of the winter season and harvested by the end of February or March.
- Is a tomato Rabi or Kharif crop?
Tomato can be cultivated in both Rabi and Kharif seasons so it falls under both the categories.
- What is a paddy crop?
A paddy crop is called a rice crop, which can grow during monsoon season. It is classified under Kharif crops.
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Mohit Chauhan
