Agriculture in Bhojpur District: Middle Gangetic Plains
Bihar falls mainly in the Middle Gangetic Plains agro-climatic zone (hot subhumid, 1000-1500mm of rain a year across the zone), where densely farmed rice-wheat plains with high cropping intensity is typical. Soils in this zone are mostly fertile alluvial (calcareous and non-calcareous) soil. Crops commonly grown across the zone include Rice (Paddy), Wheat, Maize (Corn), Sugarcane, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables.
These are zone-level facts (ICAR / Planning Commission agro-climatic classification), not a crop census of Bhojpur itself. Bhojpur's own month-by-month rainfall and temperatures are in the climate section.
Crop Calendar for the Middle Gangetic Plains
| Crop | Season & Window | All-India rate (17 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🍚 Rice (Paddy) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹3,900/qtl |
| 🌾 Wheat | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Mar-Apr) | ₹2,675/qtl |
| 🌽 Maize (Corn) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Sep-Oct) | ₹2,330/qtl |
| 🎋 Sugarcane | Plant: Feb-Mar (spring) or Oct-Nov (autumn), Harvest: 10-12 months | ₹350/qtl |
| pulses | Local seasonal crop | - |
| oilseeds | Local seasonal crop | - |
| vegetables | Local seasonal crop | - |
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 Bhojpur Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Bhojpur's largest crops by area were Wheat, Rice (Paddy), Gram (Chana). Wheat alone covered 1,06,708 ha (49% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 3,188 kg/ha, 1% above the Bihar average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Masur (Lentil) area -53%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Bihar avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat | 1,06,708 | 3,40,133 | 3,188 | 3,145 | +8% |
| Rice (Paddy) | 1,00,896 | 2,56,369 | 2,541 | 2,561 | -1% |
| Gram (Chana) | 4,025 | 4,876 | 1,211 | 1,045 | -8% |
| Masur (Lentil) | 2,201 | 1,551 | 705 | 1,021 | -53% |
| Bajra (Pearl Millet) | 1,517 | 1,534 | 1,011 | 1,042 | +341% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 1,471 | 1,760 | 1,196 | 1,204 | +7% |
| Barley | 702 | 1,428 | 2,034 | 1,881 | -44% |
| Maize (Corn) | 321 | 609 | 1,897 | 6,101 | -90% |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 282 | 317 | 1,124 | 1,073 | +662% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 121 | 83 | 684 | 595 | +384% |
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. Bihar average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Bhojpur
Bhojpur receives about 968 mm of rain in an average year, 85% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (273 mm). Days are hottest in May (average high 42°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 8°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in June, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- 85% of the year's rain falls in June-September, so rabi and summer crops need assured irrigation.
- Winter nights average about 8°C, cool enough for rabi crops such as wheat, mustard, gram and potato.
- March days already average 35°C, so late-sown wheat risks heat stress at grain filling. Sowing by mid-November is safer.
- May days average 42°C, so summer (zaid) crops and young orchards need frequent irrigation and mulching.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11 | 23° | 8° |
| February | 14 | 28° | 12° |
| March | 9 | 35° | 17° |
| April | 14 | 41° | 24° |
| May | 46 | 42° | 28° |
| June | 147 | 40° | 30° |
| July | 273 | 34° | 27° |
| August | 229 | 32° | 26° |
| September | 173 | 31° | 25° |
| October | 47 | 31° | 20° |
| November | 2 | 27° | 14° |
| December | 3 | 24° | 10° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Bhojpur district (25.4501, 84.5635). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Bhojpur Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Bhojpur
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
Land records and Farmer ID in Bihar
Government Schemes for Bhojpur Farmers
Farmers in Bhojpur 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 Bhojpur's rice growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Bhojpur district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.