Kharif Crops List 2025-26 - Step-by-Step Guide, Producing States, Season and Examples

India grows hundreds of crops across different seasons every year. The Kharif season is the most important cropping season in India, contributing the largest share of food grain production annually.

Kharif crops are sown at the beginning of the monsoon season and harvested when the rains end. These crops feed millions of people across India and supply global markets with rice, cotton, maize, and oilseeds.

This complete guide covers every major and minor Kharif crop grown in India, their producing states, sowing and harvesting months, and their importance in agriculture and trade.

Quick Answer

Kharif crops are monsoon season crops sown in June–July and harvested in September–October. Major Kharif crops include rice, maize, cotton, sugarcane, groundnut, soybean, bajra, jowar, urad dal, moong dal, and turmeric. These crops depend on monsoon rainfall and grow best in hot and humid conditions.

What is the Kharif Season?

The Kharif season is India's monsoon cropping season. It begins with the arrival of the southwest monsoon in June and ends in October when the rains withdraw. The word "Kharif" comes from the Arabic word meaning autumn harvest — reflecting the season when these crops are reaped.

Kharif Season Months 2025

Kharif crops require high temperature, high humidity, and abundant rainfall during their growing period. Most Kharif crops cannot survive frost and are therefore unsuitable for winter cultivation

Complete Kharif Crops List with Producing States

1. Cereal Kharif Crops

Cereals are the most important category of Kharif crops in India, contributing the largest volume of food grain production.

Rice is India's single most important Kharif crop. India is the world's largest rice exporter, and the Kharif harvest directly determines the volume available for both domestic consumption and agricultural commodity exports.

2. Oilseed Kharif Crops

Oilseeds are the second most important Kharif crop category, used for cooking oil, industrial purposes, and animal feed.

3. Pulse Kharif Crops

Pulses are critical for protein supply in India's largely vegetarian population and are also important export commodities.

4. Cash and Fiber Kharif Crops

Cash crops and fiber crops are among India's highest-value Kharif crops, with significant importance in domestic manufacturing and global trade.

5. Vegetable Kharif Crops

Many important vegetables are grown as Kharif crops across India.

6. Spice Kharif Crops

State-Wise Major Kharif Crops

Understanding which states grow which Kharif crops helps farmers, traders, and businesses plan procurement and supply chains effectively.

Kharif Crops vs Rabi Crops - Key Differences

For a complete comparison, read our detailed guide on difference between Rabi and Kharif crops.

Kharif Crops and Agricultural Trade

The Kharif harvest season is one of the most important periods in India's agricultural trade calendar. When Kharif crops are harvested in September–October, large volumes of rice, cotton, maize, soybean, and pulses enter domestic and international markets simultaneously.

India is currently:

• World's largest rice exporter — 22 million tonnes exported in 2023-24
• World's 6th largest cotton producer — Significant global cotton trade
• Major maize exporter — Growing presence in Asian and African markets
• Leading groundnut exporter — Key supplier to Southeast Asia and Europe

For farmers and agribusinesses looking to trade Kharif commodities, platforms that connect buyers and sellers directly help maximise returns. If you want to sell agricultural commodities online after the Kharif harvest, or buy agricultural commodities online at competitive prices, connecting directly with verified counterparties reduces costs and improves efficiency.

Kharif Crop Production Trends in India (2020–2025)

Source: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, 2024-25 Advance Estimates

Factors Affecting Kharif Crop Production

Several factors influence how much Kharif crops India produces each year:

1. Monsoon Performance The southwest monsoon is the single biggest factor. A good monsoon (above normal rainfall) typically means higher Kharif output. A deficient monsoon reduces yields significantly, especially for rain-fed crops like bajra, jowar, and pulses.

2. Temperature Kharif crops require temperatures between 25°C and 35°C. Unusual heat waves during the growing period can reduce yields, particularly for rice and maize.

3. Soil Type Different Kharif crops thrive in different soils. Cotton grows best in black cotton soil (Regur), rice in alluvial and clayey soils, and groundnut in sandy loam soils.

4. Government Support Minimum Support Price (MSP) announced by the Government of India before each Kharif season influences which crops farmers choose to grow. Higher MSP for a crop typically leads to increased cultivation area.

5. Irrigation Infrastructure Although Kharif crops primarily depend on rainfall, supplementary irrigation during dry spells significantly improves yields in most crops.

Conclusion

The Kharif season is the backbone of India's food production system. From rice that feeds over a billion people to cotton that supplies global textile industries, Kharif crops drive India's agricultural economy and export potential.

India's Kharif crop production has grown consistently over the past decade, supported by improved seed varieties, better irrigation infrastructure, and government support through MSP policies.

For anyone involved in agriculture — whether as a farmer deciding what to grow, a student learning about Indian agriculture, or a business sourcing commodities — understanding the complete Kharif crops list, their producing states, and seasonal patterns is essential.

Data sources: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (2024-25), APEDA, Agricultural Statistics at a Glance 2024

Frequently Asked Questions — Kharif Crops

What are Kharif crops?

Kharif crops are monsoon season crops in India, sown in June–July and harvested in September–October. They depend on monsoon rainfall and grow in hot and humid conditions.

How many Kharif crops are there in India?

India grows over 40 major and minor Kharif crops including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, cash crops, vegetables, and spices. The most important are rice, maize, cotton, sugarcane, soybean, groundnut, bajra, jowar, arhar, moong, and urad.

Which is the most important Kharif crop in India?

Rice is the most important Kharif crop in India by production volume and economic value, with annual production of approximately 137 million tonnes in 2024-25.

Which state produces the most Kharif crops?

Uttar Pradesh is India's largest producer of several Kharif crops including rice and sugarcane. West Bengal is the largest rice producer, while Gujarat leads in cotton and groundnut production.

Are Kharif crops dependent on rainfall?

Yes. Kharif crops primarily depend on monsoon rainfall. This makes Kharif production directly linked to the performance of the southwest monsoon each year.

What is the difference between Kharif and Rabi crops?

Kharif crops grow during the monsoon season (June–October) and depend on rainfall. Rabi crops grow during winter (October–April) and rely on irrigation. See our complete guide on Rabi and Kharif crops for a full comparison.

When does the Kharif season start in 2025?

The Kharif season 2025 begins in June with the arrival of the southwest monsoon. Sowing of most Kharif crops starts in June and continues through July.

Which Kharif crop has the highest MSP in 2024-25?

Among Kharif crops, cotton has the highest MSP. The Government of India announced MSP for medium staple cotton at ₹7,121 per quintal for Kharif 2024-25.