Rabi Crops
- March 15, 2022
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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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. |