Question

What is the difference between Rabi and Kharif cropping seasons?
a. Kharif is monsoon crop and Rabi is a post-monsoon crop
b. Rabi is monsoon crop and Kharif is a post-monsoon crop
c. Kharif is food crop season and Rabi is commercial crop season
d. Rabi is food crop season and Kharif is commercial crop season

Answer 1

Hint: There are 3 major crop growing seasons. These are Rabi, Kharif and Zaid. These crop seasons are based on the type of climatic conditions they are sowed and grown in. Topography, weather, soil texture, irrigation are some other factors that influence their growth.

Complete Step by Step answer: In rabi season, the crops are sown in the month of October-December. They require a dry and cold climate and winter type weather condition. They are harvested in the months of April-June. Examples are wheat, barley and peas.
In the Kharif season, the crops are sown in the month of June-July. They require a wet climate and summer type weather conditions. They are harvested in the months of September-October. Examples are rice, maize, moong and bajra.
The monsoon season in India lasts about June to September. Therefore, the monsoon overlaps with the sowing of Kharif crops.

Hence, Option “a” is the correct answer.

Note: In India two-third of the population is engaged in agricultural activities. It is a primary activity from ancient times and thus is called the ‘primary sector’. The other one-third of the population works in the secondary and tertiary sector.