Kharif Agriculture
Economic Significance and Input Requirements
The kharif crop season (June–November) produces India's major foodgrains: rice, maize, cotton, soybean, groundnut, and pulses. Urea is the primary nitrogenous fertiliser used in paddy (rice) cultivation — the most important kharif crop. Disruption of urea supply ahead of kharif directly threatens food production and rural incomes.
- Kharif crops: Rice (85–100 million tonnes/year), Maize (~32 million tonnes), Cotton (~33 million bales), Groundnut (~7 million tonnes), Pulses (~8 million tonnes)
- Rice-urea link: paddy cultivation consumes approximately 40% of India's total urea consumption
- Green Revolution legacy: HYV seeds require much higher fertiliser doses than traditional varieties — India locked in high urea dependency through the Green Revolution (1960s-70s)
- Soil health concern: Excessive urea use has distorted N:P:K ratios (excessive nitrogen, deficient phosphorus and potassium) → contributing to soil degradation
- PM PRANAM Scheme (2023): Incentivises states to reduce fertiliser consumption by promoting alternative nutrients and SHC (Soil Health Cards)
● Tracked since March 14, 2026 · last seen June 23, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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