Kharif crops, monsoon crops or autumn crops are domesticated plants like rice that are cultivated and harvested in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh during the Indian subcontinent's monsoon season, which lasts from June to November depending on the area. Monsoon rains may begin as early as May in some parts of the Indian subcontinent, and crops are generally harvested from 3rd Week of September to October, again depending upon the region and the crops. Rice, maize and cotton are the major kharif crops in India.
Etymology
The wordskharif and rabi both have their origins in the Arabic language. These came to be used in India with the ascent of the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent and have been widely used ever since. Kharif literally means "autumn" in Arabic, since this period coincides with the beginning of autumn in the Indian subcontinent; the monsoonal sowing season is called the kharif period.
Kharif season
The kharif season varies by crop and region, starting at the earliest in May and ending at the latest in January. In India the season is popularly considered to start in June and to end in October. Kharif crops are usually sown with the beginning of the first rains during the advent of the south-west monsoon season, and they are harvested at the end of monsoon season. Monsoon sowing dates vary, occurring toward the end of May in the southern state of Kerala and re?jjaching July in some north Indian states. In other regions like Maharashtra, the west coast of India, and Pakistan, which receive rains in June, kharif crops are sown in May, June and July. In Bangladesh, kharif crops are usually sown with the beginning of the first rains in June. These crops are dependent on the quantity of rain water as well its timing. Too much, too little or rain at the wrong time may lay waste to the whole year's efforts. Kharif crops stand in contrast to the rabi crops, which are cultivated during the dry season.
Common kharif crops
Rice is the most important kharif crop of India. It is grown in rain fed areas with hot and humid climates, especially the eastern and southern parts of India. Rice requires a temperature of during the growing season and during ripening. It needs rainfall from and needs a flooded field during the growth period.
