Best Crops in Summer

India is primarily an agrarian nation, and agriculture plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of its populace. Mainly, farming is carried out during the Rabi and Kharif seasons. However, there are several crops that are cultivated during the summer season. There is a window of 2-3 months between the harvesting of Rabi crops and the sowing of Kharif crops. During this time, one can cultivate summer crops and gain additional profits. Let us go through the detailed information about the crops cultivated during the summer season through this post.

Best Crops to Grow in the Summer Season

• Maize: The period from January to March is suitable for maize cultivation during the summer season. Maize cultivation can be successful in both sandy loam soil and heavy clay soil. However, for good yields, choose loamy soil. The pH level of the soil should be between 6.0 to 7.0. Avoid waterlogging in the field for better crop growth.
• Moong: For moong cultivation, loamy soil and black soil are optimal. The ideal time for sowing summer moong ranges from the second week of March to mid-April. During the summer season, you will need 10 to 12 kg of seeds per acre. Its cultivation not only yields additional income but also enhances soil fertility.
• Urad: The summer season is considered most suitable for the cultivation of urad. With temperatures ranging from 30 to 40°C, the growth of plants is proper. The duration of the crop depends on its varieties. Typically, the crop takes about 122-125 days to mature. Some early-maturing varieties can be ready in just 75 days. For the proper development of plants, cultivate urad in sandy loam soil.
• Arhar (Pigeon Pea): Arhar is cultivated prominently among pulse crops. Due to being a primary source of protein in vegetarian diets, its demand remains consistent throughout the year. Farmers benefit significantly from its cultivation. Arhar cultivation can be successfully carried out in almost all types of soils except acidic and saline soils. Sowing of arhar is usually done in the months of June-July, but it can also be cultivated during the hot weather. The arhar crop aids in the accumulation of nitrogen in the soil, thereby improving soil fertility.
• Sunflower: Sunflower cultivation is predominantly carried out in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab in our country. The seeds of sunflowers contain oil ranging from 45 to 50%. Sunflower cultivation can be done thrice a year, but the period from February to mid-March is optimal for sowing. The crop is ready for harvest within 70 to 80 days of sowing. Due to its quick maturation, after harvesting sunflowers, you can sow kharif crops. When the back part of the flowers turns yellow like a lemon and the flowers begin to fall off, they should be harvested.
• Jute: Being included in the crops that offer higher profits, jute is a distinct cash crop. Its cultivation is undertaken on a large scale in states like West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Assam in India. The months of February-March are suitable for its sowing. In elevated regions, jute can be sown from March to July. Hot and humid climates are conducive to its cultivation. A temperature of over 25°C is necessary for the growth of plants.
• Sugarcane: The cultivation of sugarcane for the summer season is done from February to March. In northern Indian regions, it can also be sown in April. A temperature range of 26 to 30°C is suitable for seed germination. Select well-drained loamy soil, clayey loamy soil, or heavy black soil for its cultivation. Use setts from disease-free sugarcane crops for planting. It is a long-duration crop, and once planted, it can be harvested twice, yielding both the main crop and ratoon crop.
• Sunn hemp: It is a fodder crop. Its cultivation is also done for green manure. It is cultivated in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh in India. The cultivation of sunn hemp is suitable for warm humid climates. In irrigated areas, it can be sown in April-May. In rain-fed areas, it is sown after the first rainfall. Due to being a leguminous crop, the requirement for nitrogen is also low. Additionally, its plants are less prone to diseases and pests.

Which crops do you cultivate in the summer season and how much profit do you make from them? Share your answers and experiences with us in the comments. For more such informative content, follow the 'Krishi Gyan' channel. Don't forget to like and share this post.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are suitable crops for the summer season?

A: During the summer months, crops such as moong, urad, cowpea, sunflower, and vegetables like tomatoes, okra, brinjal, and cucumbers grow well.

Q: Which crops are sown in March-April?

A: In March-April, crops such as bottle gourd, okra, bitter gourd, cucumber, and brinjal can be sown.

Q: How to cultivate urad during summer?

A: Urad is a warm-season crop that can be cultivated in India during the summer. For optimal crop growth, cultivate it in soil with a pH level ranging from 6.0 to 7.5 and a temperature between 25-35°C. Ensure good drainage in the field. Sow the seeds at a depth of approximately 2-3 cm. Maintain a spacing of 10 to 15 cm between rows. Timely irrigation, proper use of fertilizers in adequate quantities, and management of weeds, diseases, and pests are essential for a good yield.