Kharif, Rabi and Zaid Crops: Season, Examples and Sowing Time
India has three cropping seasons. Kharif crops are sown with the monsoon (June–July) and harvested in September–November; Rabi crops are sown in October–December and harvested in February–April; Zaid crops are grown in the summer gap between them (March–June).
- Kharif: paddy, maize, soybean, cotton, bajra, tur, urad, groundnut.
- Rabi: wheat, mustard, gram, lentil, barley, pea, potato.
- Zaid: watermelon, cucumber, muskmelon, summer moong.
हिंदी सारांश: खरीफ फसलें जून–जुलाई में बोई जाती हैं, रबी अक्टूबर–दिसंबर में और जायद मार्च–जून में। धान खरीफ, गेहूं रबी और तरबूज जायद फसल है।
| Season | Sowing | Harvest | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kharif | June–July (monsoon) | September–November | Paddy, maize, soybean, cotton, bajra, jowar, tur, urad, groundnut |
| Rabi | October–December | February–April | Wheat, mustard, gram, lentil, barley, pea, potato |
| Zaid | March–April | May–June | Watermelon, cucumber, muskmelon, summer moong |
Exact timing varies by state, variety and the arrival of the monsoon, so follow local advice from your Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or agriculture department. Use our crop calendar for crop-wise windows.
Government prices by season
MSPs are announced separately for each season: Kharif MSP 2026-27 and Rabi MSP 2026-27. See today’s market rates on Mandi Bhav Today.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheat a Kharif or Rabi crop?
Wheat is a Rabi crop, sown in the winter months and harvested in spring.
Is paddy a Kharif crop?
Yes. Paddy is a major Kharif crop sown with the monsoon.
What is a Zaid crop?
A Zaid crop is grown in the short summer season between Rabi harvest and Kharif sowing, such as watermelon and cucumber.
Related tools: MSP calculator · Mandi bhav today · Crop calendar · Tractor EMI calculator
We summarise official government announcements and data for farmers. This article follows our editorial policy; spotted an error? See our corrections policy. The Harvest is an independent website and is not affiliated with any government body — see the disclaimer.
