Unlike Rabi (winter) crops, Kharif varieties are "water-hungry." Their success is tied directly to the . Sowing Window: June to July (Onset of monsoon) Growing Phase: Peak rainy season (July to August) Harvesting Window: September to October (End of monsoon)
| Feature | Kharif (Monsoon) | Rabi (Winter) | Zaid (Summer) | |---------|------------------|---------------|----------------| | | June–July | October–December | March–April | | Harvest | Sept–Oct | March–April | June–July | | Rainfall needed | High (monsoon) | Low (irrigation) | Very low (irrigation) | | Examples | Rice, maize, cotton | Wheat, gram, mustard | Watermelon, cucumber, fodder | karif crops
A staple grain grown widely for both human and animal consumption. Millets: Includes Sorghum (Jowar) and Pearl millet (Bajra). Unlike Rabi (winter) crops