Rabi Crops

March 15, 2022
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN Topics

Rabi Crops

Topic: Agriculture

Section: Cropping pattern

Context- Russian invasion of Ukraine is happening when Indian farmers seem set to harvest a bumper Rabi (winter-spring) crop.

Their prices have all firmed up, due to the war-induced disruption of grain trade via the Black Sea and Russian banks being blocked from the international payments system.

Concept-

About Winter Crops:

Rabi Crops are sown in winter and harvested in spring.
The crops are grown either with rainwater that has percolated into the ground or using irrigation.
A good rain in winter spoils the Rabi crops but is good for Kharif crops.

Kharif vs Rabi Crops:

Kharif Crops	Rabi Crops
Crops that are sown during the southwest monsoon season are called kharif or monsoon crops.	Those that are sown around the Retreating Monsoon and Northeast monsoon season, which begins by October, are called rabi or winter crops.
These crops are sown at the beginning of the season around end May to early June and are harvested post the monsoon rains beginning October.	These are sown during October- November and The harvest for these crops happens typically during April and May, during the summer season.
It requires sufficient water and hot weather to grow.	A warm climate is required for seed germination and cold climate for the growth of crops.
Key Kharif Crops include Rice, maize, pulses such as urad, moong dal and millets etc.	Major Rabi crops are wheat, gram, peas, barley etc.