Agriculture in Jorhat District: Tea capital of Assam
Jorhat is one of Assam's notable agricultural districts, best known for tea capital of Assam. Its farmland is fed by Brahmaputra and sits on predominantly alluvial soil, a combination that favours tea, rice, mustard. Unlike a generic state average, Jorhat'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 Jorhat
The district's main crops are Tea (Green Leaf), Rice (Paddy), Mustard (Rapeseed). tea leads the local economy, so Jorhat farmers should track the Tea (Green Leaf) rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The alluvial soil here is fertile and well-drained, ideal for wheat, rice, sugarcane and vegetables.
Crop Calendar for Jorhat (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Jorhat'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) |
|---|---|---|
| 🍵 Tea (Green Leaf) | Mar-Nov | ₹5,000/qtl |
| 🍚 Rice (Paddy) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹3,680/qtl |
| 🌿 Mustard (Rapeseed) | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Feb-Mar) | ₹7,540/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Jorhat
With alluvial soil and water from the Brahmaputra, the priority for Jorhat 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 tea from Jorhat
Since tea is central to Jorhat, time your sale using the live tea rate. Compare rates at the nearest APMC mandi with the Assam price page. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Jorhat.
What Jorhat Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Jorhat's largest crops by area were Rice (Paddy), Mustard (Rapeseed), Urad (Black Gram). Rice (Paddy) alone covered 67,438 ha (94% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 1,882 kg/ha, 15% below the Assam average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Mustard (Rapeseed) area -79%, Rice (Paddy) area -32%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Assam avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (Paddy) | 67,438 | 1,26,923 | 1,882 | 2,224 | -32% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 2,289 | 1,473 | 644 | 788 | -79% |
| Urad (Black Gram) | 940 | 762 | 811 | 675 | -82% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 345 | 267 | 773 | 829 | -76% |
| Maize (Corn) | 172 | 819 | 4,771 | 4,744 | +132% |
| Sesame (Til) | 63 | 28 | 445 | 695 | -6% |
| Ragi (Finger Millet) | 35 | 5 | 146 | 938 | - |
| Sugarcane | 34 | 1,439 | 42,336 | 42,336 | -96% |
| Wheat | 24 | 32 | 1,350 | 1,349 | +71% |
| Masur (Lentil) | 20 | 14 | 720 | 840 | -95% |
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. Assam average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Jorhat
Jorhat receives about 1756 mm of rain in an average year, 65% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (333 mm). Days are hottest in June (average high 32°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 9°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in May, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- At about 1756 mm a year, water is plentiful in season; field drainage matters as much as irrigation, and paddy and plantation crops suit the climate.
- Winter nights average about 9°C, cool enough for rabi crops such as wheat, mustard, gram and potato.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13 | 21° | 9° |
| February | 28 | 24° | 11° |
| March | 59 | 28° | 15° |
| April | 151 | 31° | 19° |
| May | 228 | 32° | 21° |
| June | 298 | 32° | 23° |
| July | 333 | 31° | 24° |
| August | 290 | 31° | 24° |
| September | 228 | 30° | 23° |
| October | 100 | 28° | 20° |
| November | 19 | 24° | 15° |
| December | 9 | 21° | 11° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Jorhat district (26.6501, 94.2701). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Jorhat Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Jorhat
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
Land records and Farmer ID in Assam
Government Schemes for Jorhat Farmers
Farmers in Jorhat 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 Jorhat's tea growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Jorhat district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.