April is a transition month in Indian agriculture. While Rabi crops (like wheat, mustard, and gram) are being harvested, farmers are actively planting summer crops (Zaid crops). It’s also the time to prepare land for Kharif sowing, which starts with the monsoon in June.
Key Harvests in April
1. Wheat (गेहूं)
- States: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar
- Status: Harvest in full swing
- Mechanized harvesting using combine harvesters is common
- Procurement starts by FCI (Food Corporation of India)
2. Mustard (सरसों)
- Harvested in: Rajasthan, UP, MP
- Oil extraction units are active
- High market demand for cold-pressed mustard oil
3. Chickpeas (चना), Lentils (मसूर)
- Harvesting in Central and North India
- Used for dal (pulses) and sold in mandis or exported
Key Crops Being Planted (Zaid Season)
1. Moong (Green Gram - मूंग)
- Short-duration crop (60–65 days)
- Sown in: Maharashtra, Telangana, MP, Bihar
- Grown before monsoon – improves soil fertility
2. Watermelon & Muskmelon (तरबूज, खरबूजा)
- Popular in: UP, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal
- Requires hot, dry weather
- Harvest starts in May
3. Sunflower (सूरजमुखी)
- Short-term oilseed crop
- Grown in Karnataka, AP, Tamil Nadu
- Planted with light irrigation
4. Vegetables (गर्मी की सब्ज़ियाँ)
- Okra (भिंडी), bottle gourd (लौकी), ridge gourd (तुरई), brinjal (बैंगन)
- Nursery raised or directly sown
- Regular irrigation needed
Water and Soil Management in April
- Pre-monsoon soil testing done for pH, nutrients
- Irrigation planning is key – Zaid crops need water every 7–10 days
- In drought-prone areas (Bundelkhand, Marathwada), drip irrigation and mulching are promoted
Regional Farming Highlights
| Region |
Main Activities |
| Punjab/Haryana |
Wheat harvest, watermelon planting |
| Maharashtra |
Moong sowing, vegetable production |
| Tamil Nadu |
Sunflower planting, drip-irrigated vegetables |
| UP/Bihar |
Harvesting wheat, sowing moong and gourds |
| MP/Rajasthan |
Harvesting mustard and gram, soil prep |
Income and Yield Snapshot
| Crop |
Avg. Yield (ton/ha) |
Price Range (INR/Quintal) |
Notes |
| Wheat |
3.5 – 4.5 |
₹2000 – ₹2400 |
MSP-based procurement in many states |
| Mustard |
1.5 – 2.0 |
₹5500 – ₹6500 |
Oil mills boost demand |
| Chickpea |
1.8 – 2.2 |
₹4500 – ₹5500 |
High demand in pulses market |
| Moong |
1.2 – 1.5 |
₹6500 – ₹7500 |
Summer crop; improves soil too |
| Watermelon |
20 – 30 (fruit) |
₹800 – ₹1200/quintal |
High summer demand in cities |
Lessons for Other Countries from India
- Use of short-duration summer crops (Zaid season) to increase income between main seasons
- Integrated irrigation systems – canal + tube well + drip for water-saving
- Dual-purpose farming – pulse crops that fix nitrogen + give market returns
- Early market targeting – fruits like watermelon hit the market before summer peaks
- Use of FPOs (Farmer Producer Organisations) for better mandi pricing and storage access
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