Agriculture in Kurnool District: Groundnut and oilseed belt
Kurnool is one of Andhra Pradesh's notable agricultural districts, best known for groundnut and oilseed belt. Its farmland is fed by Tungabhadra, Krishna and sits on predominantly black & red soil, a combination that favours groundnut, cotton, rice. Unlike a generic state average, Kurnool'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 Kurnool
The district's main crops are Groundnut, Cotton, Rice (Paddy), Sunflower. groundnut leads the local economy, so Kurnool farmers should track the Groundnut rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The black & red soil here holds moisture well and suits cotton, soybean, pulses and oilseeds.
Crop Calendar for Kurnool (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Kurnool'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) |
|---|---|---|
| 🥜 Groundnut | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹6,913/qtl |
| 🪴 Cotton | Kharif (Sow: Apr-Jun, Pick: Oct-Jan) | ₹8,250/qtl |
| 🍚 Rice (Paddy) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹3,680/qtl |
| 🌻 Sunflower | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹7,264/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Kurnool
With black & red soil and water from the Tungabhadra, Krishna, the priority for Kurnool 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 groundnut from Kurnool
Since groundnut is central to Kurnool, time your sale using the live groundnut rate. Sell at Kurnool Mandi and compare with neighbouring mandis. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Kurnool.
Mandi Prices in Kurnool
These are the crops actually trading in Kurnool's markets (Adoni APMC, Yemmiganur APMC, Kurnool APMC), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groundnut | ₹4,800 | ₹8,909 | ₹5,980 |
| Cotton | ₹4,180 | ₹9,440 | ₹9,159 |
| Ground Nut Seed | ₹6,296 | ₹8,300 | ₹8,129 |
| Maize | ₹1,429 | ₹2,005 | ₹1,900 |
| Dry Chillies | ₹5,899 | ₹14,929 | ₹8,899 |
| Castor Seed | ₹5,809 | ₹6,169 | ₹6,159 |
| Red gram/Arhar/Tur(whole) | ₹2,112 | ₹8,012 | ₹7,812 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, as of 1 June 2026.
What Kurnool Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Kurnool's largest crops by area were Cotton, Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea), Groundnut. Cotton alone covered 1,97,831 ha (46% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 444 kg/ha, 84% below the Andhra Pradesh average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Tobacco area +274%, Urad (Black Gram) area -94%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Andhra Pradesh avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | 1,97,831 | 5,17,155 | 444 | 2,800 | -28% |
| Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) | 64,284 | 36,932 | 575 | 475 | -9% |
| Groundnut | 53,829 | 71,062 | 1,320 | 1,151 | -43% |
| Gram (Chana) | 43,262 | 44,749 | 1,034 | 1,063 | -72% |
| Rice (Paddy) | 17,069 | 58,956 | 3,454 | 3,928 | -86% |
| Tobacco | 12,250 | 32,207 | 2,629 | 2,254 | +274% |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 11,965 | 15,550 | 1,300 | 3,459 | -78% |
| Maize (Corn) | 11,801 | 65,759 | 5,573 | 6,510 | -74% |
| Castor | 11,071 | 9,924 | 896 | 510 | -35% |
| Bajra (Pearl Millet) | 6,649 | 15,577 | 2,343 | 2,310 | -10% |
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 Kurnool
Kurnool receives about 648 mm of rain in an average year, 66% of it in June-September. The wettest month is September (145 mm). Days are hottest in April (average high 40°C) and nights coolest in December (average low 16°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in August, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- January days still average 32°C, too warm for wheat to yield well; the cool season suits warm-tolerant pulses, oilseeds and vegetables better.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 32° | 16° |
| February | 2 | 35° | 18° |
| March | 14 | 38° | 22° |
| April | 23 | 40° | 25° |
| May | 62 | 39° | 26° |
| June | 83 | 33° | 23° |
| July | 98 | 32° | 22° |
| August | 104 | 31° | 22° |
| September | 145 | 30° | 22° |
| October | 89 | 30° | 20° |
| November | 21 | 30° | 18° |
| December | 3 | 30° | 16° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Kurnool district (15.5479, 77.5543). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Kurnool Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Kurnool
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Jogulamba Gadwal, Telangana - 64 km
- Ballari, Karnataka - 83 km
- Raichur, Karnataka - 90 km
- Nandyal - 92 km
- Wanaparthy, Telangana - 94 km
- Narayanpet, Telangana - 128 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Andhra Pradesh
Government Schemes for Kurnool Farmers
Farmers in Kurnool 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 Kurnool's groundnut growers, crop insurance and the soil health card matter most for the black-soil crops here. Apply at the Kurnool district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.