Mid-September Peak: October End: Early November (for late varieties or regions with delayed monsoons)
Harvesting is strictly focused on October to make room for the wheat (Rabi) season in November.
The term "Kharif" is derived from the Arabic word for "autumn." These are also known as because their cultivation is strictly tied to the arrival and retreat of the rainy season. kharif crop harvested in which month
The Kharif cropping season (also known as the ) begins with the onset of the southwest monsoon around June–July . The seeds are sown at the start of the rainy season, and the crops mature as the rains recede.
Because of the different monsoon patterns (including the North-East monsoon), some regions may harvest Kharif crops as late as November or December . Mid-September Peak: October End: Early November (for late
September to October (as the monsoon begins to retreat). Why are they harvested in September and October?
Kharif crops require significant amounts of water and warm weather to grow. They are planted when the first rains hit the parched earth in June. By the time September arrives, the rains begin to subside, and the humidity drops. The seeds are sown at the start of
| Crop Name | Harvesting Month | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | September – October | The primary Kharif crop; requires dry weather during harvest. | | Maize | September – October | Harvested when the husks turn yellow and grains are dry. | | Jowar (Sorghum) | September – October | Grown in both Kharif and Rabi; Kharif variety harvested early Autumn. | | Bajra (Pearl Millet) | September – October | Highly drought-resistant; ready for harvest roughly 80-90 days after sowing. | | Cotton | October – November | Picking begins when the bolls burst open; often extends into December. | | Sugarcane | October – March | Planted in Kharif but has a long duration; harvested mainly in winter. | | Soybean | September – October | Harvested when leaves drop and pods turn yellow/brown. | | Groundnut (Peanut) | October – November | Harvested when leaves turn yellow; kernels must be fully developed. | | Tur (Arhar/ Pigeon Pea) | November – December | Takes longer to mature than cereals; often bridges the gap to Rabi season. | | Moong (Green Gram) | September – October | Early maturing varieties can be harvested as early as late August. | | Jute | August – September | Harvested before flowering to ensure good fiber quality. |
| Crop | Typical Harvest Month | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | September – October | The main Kharif grain. In southern states, some early varieties may be harvested in late August. | | Cotton | October – November | Picking starts in October; can extend into December in northern zones. | | Sugarcane | October – March | Planted in Kharif but harvested over a long season. First crushing often starts in October. | | Maize (Corn) | September – October | Early sowing yields September harvest; late sowing pushes to October. | | Groundnut (Peanut) | September – October | Harvested when pods are mature and leaves turn yellow. | | Soybean | September – October | A major Kharif oilseed; harvested when pods turn brown (early to mid-October). | | Bajra (Pearl Millet) | September – October | Harvested when earheads turn golden yellow. | | Tur/Arhar (Pigeon Pea) | October – November | A longer-duration pulse; often harvested later than cereals. | | Jowar (Sorghum) | September – October | For grain purposes. |
High humidity can sometimes push the harvest into early November to ensure the grains are sufficiently dry. The Importance of Timing