Agriculture in Darbhanga 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 Darbhanga itself. Darbhanga'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 (3 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🍚 Rice (Paddy) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹3,680/qtl |
| 🌾 Wheat | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Mar-Apr) | ₹2,604/qtl |
| 🌽 Maize (Corn) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Sep-Oct) | ₹2,299/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 Darbhanga Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Darbhanga's largest crops by area were Rice (Paddy), Wheat, Maize (Corn). Rice (Paddy) alone covered 91,772 ha (55% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 2,054 kg/ha, 20% below the Bihar average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Maize (Corn) area +37%, Moong (Green Gram) area -32%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Bihar avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (Paddy) | 91,772 | 1,88,493 | 2,054 | 2,561 | +22% |
| Wheat | 52,484 | 1,37,783 | 2,625 | 3,145 | -6% |
| Maize (Corn) | 12,794 | 62,459 | 4,882 | 6,101 | +37% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 5,104 | 1,818 | 356 | 595 | -32% |
| Masur (Lentil) | 2,553 | 2,047 | 802 | 1,021 | +24% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 1,696 | 1,293 | 762 | 1,204 | +138% |
| Barley | 358 | 673 | 1,881 | 1,881 | - |
| Sugarcane | 231 | 13,284 | 57,506 | 63,091 | -84% |
| Ragi (Finger Millet) | 228 | 164 | 721 | 981 | -46% |
| Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) | 197 | 341 | 1,729 | 1,558 | -11% |
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 Darbhanga
Darbhanga receives about 1069 mm of rain in an average year, 82% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (294 mm). Days are hottest in May (average high 40°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.
- 82% 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 40°C, so summer (zaid) crops and young orchards need frequent irrigation and mulching.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 | 23° | 8° |
| February | 12 | 28° | 12° |
| March | 15 | 35° | 18° |
| April | 27 | 39° | 23° |
| May | 73 | 40° | 27° |
| June | 169 | 38° | 28° |
| July | 294 | 33° | 27° |
| August | 213 | 32° | 26° |
| September | 201 | 31° | 25° |
| October | 53 | 31° | 21° |
| November | 2 | 28° | 15° |
| December | 2 | 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 Darbhanga district (26.083, 86.0325). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Darbhanga Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Darbhanga
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Madhubani - 36 km
- Samastipur - 38 km
- Begusarai - 64 km
- Saharsa - 64 km
- Sitamarhi - 69 km
- Muzaffarpur - 70 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Bihar
Government Schemes for Darbhanga Farmers
Farmers in Darbhanga 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 Darbhanga's rice growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Darbhanga district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.