Agriculture in Tinsukia District: Eastern Himalayan Region
Assam falls mainly in the Eastern Himalayan Region agro-climatic zone (humid subtropical to alpine, 2000-4000mm of rain a year across the zone), where high-rainfall terraced and shifting cultivation with plantation crops is typical. Soils in this zone are mostly acidic red and lateritic hill soils. Crops commonly grown across the zone include Rice (Paddy), Maize (Corn), Potato, Ginger, large cardamom, Tea (Green Leaf), oranges, Pineapple.
These are zone-level facts (ICAR / Planning Commission agro-climatic classification), not a crop census of Tinsukia itself. Tinsukia's own month-by-month rainfall and temperatures are in the climate section.
Crop Calendar for the Eastern Himalayan Region
| Crop | Season & Window | All-India rate (3 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🍚 Rice (Paddy) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹3,680/qtl |
| 🌽 Maize (Corn) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Sep-Oct) | ₹2,299/qtl |
| 🥔 Potato | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Jan-Mar) | ₹1,000/qtl |
| 🫚 Ginger | Plant: Mar-May, Harvest: Dec-Feb | ₹6,000/qtl |
| large cardamom | Local seasonal crop | - |
| 🍵 Tea (Green Leaf) | Mar-Nov | ₹5,000/qtl |
| oranges | Local seasonal crop | - |
| 🍍 Pineapple | Year-round (peak arrivals: Mar-Jun) | ₹5,000/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation
Drip and sprinkler subsidies (45-90%) and a solar pump cut water and power costs. Because soils vary field to field inside a zone, a free soil health card is the only reliable guide to what your own plot needs.
What Tinsukia Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Tinsukia's largest crops by area were Rice (Paddy), Mustard (Rapeseed), Urad (Black Gram). Rice (Paddy) alone covered 62,204 ha (84% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 2,037 kg/ha, 8% below the Assam average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Maize (Corn) area +77%, Mustard (Rapeseed) area -26%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Assam avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (Paddy) | 62,204 | 1,26,718 | 2,037 | 2,224 | -1% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 6,166 | 4,614 | 748 | 788 | -26% |
| Urad (Black Gram) | 2,301 | 1,052 | 457 | 675 | +13% |
| Maize (Corn) | 2,072 | 6,830 | 3,296 | 4,744 | +77% |
| Sugarcane | 268 | 11,346 | 42,336 | 42,336 | +9% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 219 | 141 | 646 | 829 | +67% |
| Sesame (Til) | 166 | 102 | 614 | 695 | +64% |
| Wheat | 164 | 221 | 1,350 | 1,349 | +300% |
| Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) | 103 | 76 | 737 | 859 | +36% |
| Niger Seed | 39 | 18 | 450 | 580 | +105% |
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 Tinsukia
Tinsukia receives about 2230 mm of rain in an average year, 65% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (451 mm). Days are hottest in August (average high 34°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 10°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in May, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- At about 2230 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 10°C, cool enough for rabi crops such as wheat, mustard, gram and potato.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18 | 22° | 10° |
| February | 43 | 25° | 12° |
| March | 88 | 29° | 16° |
| April | 210 | 32° | 20° |
| May | 281 | 34° | 22° |
| June | 360 | 34° | 24° |
| July | 451 | 34° | 25° |
| August | 351 | 34° | 25° |
| September | 294 | 33° | 24° |
| October | 107 | 30° | 20° |
| November | 19 | 26° | 15° |
| December | 8 | 23° | 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 Tinsukia district (27.5972, 95.5669). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Tinsukia Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Tinsukia
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Dibrugarh - 60 km
- Charaideo - 77 km
- Dhemaji - 84 km
- Sivasagar - 115 km
- Majuli - 138 km
- Lakhimpur - 143 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Assam
Government Schemes for Tinsukia Farmers
Farmers in Tinsukia 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 Tinsukia's rice growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Tinsukia district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.