Agriculture in Kishanganj 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 Kishanganj itself. Kishanganj'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 Kishanganj Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Kishanganj's largest crops by area were Rice (Paddy), Maize (Corn), Jute. Rice (Paddy) alone covered 86,476 ha (57% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 2,500 kg/ha, 2% below the Bihar average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Moong (Green Gram) area -66%, Wheat area -63%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Bihar avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (Paddy) | 86,476 | 2,16,149 | 2,500 | 2,561 | +10% |
| Maize (Corn) | 42,073 | 3,24,868 | 7,722 | 6,101 | +1225% |
| Jute | 14,056 | 1,88,012 | 2,408 | 14,311 | -13% |
| Wheat | 6,579 | 18,367 | 2,792 | 3,145 | -63% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 2,460 | 1,246 | 506 | 595 | -66% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 690 | 683 | 989 | 1,204 | -52% |
| Masur (Lentil) | 296 | 139 | 470 | 1,021 | -66% |
| Sesame (Til) | 127 | 111 | 872 | 851 | -51% |
| Linseed (Alsi) | 56 | 24 | 436 | 872 | -97% |
| Sugarcane | 55 | 3,776 | 68,655 | 63,091 | -27% |
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 Kishanganj
Kishanganj receives about 1775 mm of rain in an average year, 79% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (474 mm). Days are hottest in April (average high 35°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 1775 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 | 6 | 22° | 10° |
| February | 12 | 26° | 13° |
| March | 29 | 32° | 17° |
| April | 70 | 35° | 22° |
| May | 163 | 35° | 24° |
| June | 278 | 33° | 25° |
| July | 474 | 30° | 25° |
| August | 353 | 30° | 25° |
| September | 291 | 29° | 24° |
| October | 92 | 28° | 21° |
| November | 5 | 25° | 16° |
| December | 2 | 23° | 12° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Kishanganj district (26.2984, 87.9467). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Kishanganj Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Kishanganj
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal - 47 km
- Araria - 58 km
- Darjeeling, West Bengal - 70 km
- Purnia - 79 km
- Jalpaiguri, West Bengal - 86 km
- Katihar - 88 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Bihar
Government Schemes for Kishanganj Farmers
Farmers in Kishanganj 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 Kishanganj's rice growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Kishanganj district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.