Difference between Kharif and Rabi crops

Difference between Kharif and Rabi crops

Definition of Kharif Crops

The Kharif crops, popularly known as monsoon cultivations, are defined as the crops grown in Asia during the rainy seasons, ie from June to September. These crops are planted with the beginning of the first rains, due to the southwest monsoon. The times and the amount of rainwater are the two important factors that determine the production of Kharif crops. The main crops are paddy, corn, jowar, bajra, cotton, peanuts, sugar cane, turmeric, legumes, etc.

In India, sowing dates can vary depending on the extent of the monsoons in each state, which means that in southern states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, etc. The harvest is usually sown towards the end of May, after which it moves towards northern India. Therefore, Kharif crops are generally sown in the northern states in late June.

Definition of Rabi Crops

The term "Rabi" is an Arabic word, which means spring. The crops of Rabi are the crops that are planted at the beginning of the winter season and harvested in the spring season, in the countries of southern Asia, namely India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, etc. These are sown with the end of the monsoon in the country, usually in late October or early November.

Since the cultivation of rabi crops is done during the dry season, these require timely irrigation to grow. The main rabi crops are wheat, gram, oats, barley, onion, potato, tomato and many seeds such as mustard, sunflower, canola, linseed, cumin, coriander, etc.

Differences between Kharif and Rabi crops

The difference between kharif and rabi crops can be clearly traced for the following reasons:

• Kharif crops refer to crops sown in South Asian countries with the beginning of the rainy season. At the other extreme, Rabi crops involve the crops that are grown when the rainy season is over and the winter season begins.
• Kharif crops need a lot of water and a warm climate to grow, while rabi crops require a warm climate to grow seed germination and cold climate.
• At the time of growth, Kharif crops require a warm, humid climate and a shorter day for flowering. On the contrary, for rabi crops a cold and dry climate is required and a longer day length for its flowering.
• The sowing months of Kharif crops are June and July. In contrast, rabi crops are usually sown in October and November.
• Kharif crops are harvested in September and October. Otherwise, the best time to harvest Rabi crops is in March and April.