The term Kharif crops is a fundamental agricultural concept in India, referring to domesticated plants cultivated and harvested during the country's monsoon season. The word Kharif itself has its origins in the Arabic language, meaning "autumn," and was introduced to the Indian subcontinent with the ascent of the Mughal Empire.
The concept is a mechanism to utilize the unique climatic conditions of the Indian summer and monsoon. Kharif crops are sown at the beginning of the first rains during the advent of the south-west monsoon season, typically between June and July, and are harvested in the autumn months, usually from September to October. These crops require high temperature, high humidity, and abundant rainfall during their growth period, which the monsoon provides.
The entire cycle is intrinsically connected to the south-west monsoon, which delivers nearly 75% of India's annual rainfall. This makes the Kharif season critical, as approximately 60% of Indian farmland is rain-fed. Major examples of Kharif crops include Rice (Paddy), Maize, Cotton, and Soybean. The season stands in contrast to the Rabi crops, which are sown in winter and harvested in spring. Economically, the Kharif season is linked to the government's announcement of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for these crops. While the core agricultural cycle remains unchanged, the season has recently faced increasing vulnerability due to climate swings and phenomena like El Niño, which cause erratic or deficit rainfall, directly impacting sowing and yield.