Agriculture in Krishna District: Rice and mango of the Krishna delta
Krishna is one of Andhra Pradesh's notable agricultural districts, best known for rice and mango of the Krishna delta. Its farmland is fed by Krishna and sits on predominantly deltaic alluvial soil, a combination that favours rice, sugarcane, pulses. Unlike a generic state average, Krishna's cropping is shaped by this specific soil-and-water mix, which is why the crops and schemes below are weighted to what actually grows and sells here.
What Grows Best in Krishna
The district's main crops are Rice (Paddy), Sugarcane, pulses, Mango. rice leads the local economy, so Krishna farmers should track the Rice (Paddy) rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The deltaic alluvial soil here is fertile and well-drained, ideal for wheat, rice, sugarcane and vegetables.
Crop Calendar for Krishna (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Krishna's main crops, here is when to sow and harvest locally. Plan inputs, labour and credit around these windows:
| Crop | Season & Window | All-India rate (3 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🍚 Rice (Paddy) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹3,680/qtl |
| 🎋 Sugarcane | Plant: Feb-Mar (spring) or Oct-Nov (autumn), Harvest: 10-12 months | ₹350/qtl |
| pulses | Local seasonal crop | - |
| 🥭 Mango | Summer (main harvest: Apr-Jun) | ₹9,800/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Krishna
With deltaic alluvial soil and water from the Krishna, the priority for Krishna farmers is matching irrigation to the crop. Drip and sprinkler subsidies and a solar pump can cut water and power costs significantly. A free soil health card tells you exactly which nutrients your plot needs.
Best Way to Sell rice from Krishna
Since rice is central to Krishna, time your sale using the live rice rate. Compare rates at the nearest APMC mandi with the Andhra Pradesh price page. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Krishna.
What Krishna Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Krishna's largest crops by area were Rice (Paddy), Urad (Black Gram), Maize (Corn). Rice (Paddy) alone covered 1,58,730 ha (55% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 3,820 kg/ha, 3% below the Andhra Pradesh average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Maize (Corn) area -80%, Sugarcane area -78%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Andhra Pradesh avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (Paddy) | 1,58,730 | 6,06,384 | 3,820 | 3,928 | -50% |
| Urad (Black Gram) | 1,18,394 | 2,05,632 | 1,737 | 1,225 | -7% |
| Maize (Corn) | 5,234 | 46,095 | 8,808 | 6,510 | -80% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 3,205 | 4,200 | 1,310 | 907 | -47% |
| Sugarcane | 1,954 | 2,35,082 | 1,20,279 | 90,242 | -78% |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 1,872 | 7,010 | 3,744 | 3,459 | +343% |
| Groundnut | 908 | 2,842 | 3,131 | 1,151 | -39% |
| Cotton | 387 | 1,327 | 582 | 2,800 | -99% |
| Sesame (Til) | 78 | 21 | 273 | 283 | -85% |
| Tobacco | 50 | 147 | 2,919 | 2,254 | -96% |
Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt of India (final estimates), via UPAg. Field crops only - vegetables, fruit and spices are counted separately. Andhra Pradesh average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Krishna
Krishna receives about 1126 mm of rain in an average year, 61% of it in June-September. The wettest month is October (226 mm). Days are hottest in May (average high 33°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 23°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in June, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 27° | 23° |
| February | 9 | 28° | 24° |
| March | 10 | 30° | 26° |
| April | 22 | 32° | 28° |
| May | 57 | 33° | 29° |
| June | 137 | 32° | 29° |
| July | 185 | 31° | 28° |
| August | 180 | 30° | 27° |
| September | 187 | 30° | 27° |
| October | 226 | 29° | 27° |
| November | 84 | 28° | 25° |
| December | 24 | 27° | 24° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Krishna district (16.2135, 81.0278). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Krishna Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Krishna
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
Land records and Farmer ID in Andhra Pradesh
Government Schemes for Krishna Farmers
Farmers in Krishna are eligible for PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Kisan Credit Card, Soil Health Card Scheme, PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, eNAM - National Agriculture Market and more. For Krishna's rice growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Krishna district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.