Agriculture in Samastipur District: Maize and makhana belt
Samastipur is one of Bihar's notable agricultural districts, best known for maize and makhana belt. Its farmland is fed by Burhi Gandak, Baya and sits on predominantly alluvial soil, a combination that favours maize, wheat, rice. Unlike a generic state average, Samastipur'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 Samastipur
The district's main crops are Maize (Corn), Wheat, Rice (Paddy), makhana. maize leads the local economy, so Samastipur farmers should track the Maize (Corn) 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 Samastipur (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Samastipur'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) |
|---|---|---|
| 🌽 Maize (Corn) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Sep-Oct) | ₹2,299/qtl |
| 🌾 Wheat | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Mar-Apr) | ₹2,604/qtl |
| 🍚 Rice (Paddy) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹3,680/qtl |
| makhana | Local seasonal crop | - |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Samastipur
With alluvial soil and water from the Burhi Gandak, Baya, the priority for Samastipur 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 maize from Samastipur
Since maize is central to Samastipur, time your sale using the live maize rate. Compare rates at the nearest APMC mandi with the Bihar price page. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Samastipur.
What Samastipur Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Samastipur's largest crops by area were Rice (Paddy), Maize (Corn), Wheat. Rice (Paddy) alone covered 80,650 ha (37% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 2,406 kg/ha, 6% below the Bihar average.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Bihar avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (Paddy) | 80,650 | 1,94,073 | 2,406 | 2,561 | -14% |
| Maize (Corn) | 58,172 | 2,50,149 | 4,300 | 6,101 | -6% |
| Wheat | 50,214 | 1,85,837 | 3,701 | 3,145 | -5% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 11,985 | 5,627 | 470 | 595 | -8% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 6,035 | 8,047 | 1,333 | 1,204 | -13% |
| Tobacco | 3,584 | 6,326 | 1,765 | 1,777 | -4% |
| Sugarcane | 3,260 | 2,20,976 | 67,784 | 63,091 | -1% |
| Masur (Lentil) | 1,016 | 1,101 | 1,083 | 1,021 | -18% |
| Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) | 696 | 1,203 | 1,729 | 1,558 | -1% |
| Barley | 613 | 1,153 | 1,881 | 1,881 | +314% |
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 Samastipur
Samastipur receives about 1060 mm of rain in an average year, 84% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (295 mm). Days are hottest in May (average high 41°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.
- 84% 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 41°C, so summer (zaid) crops and young orchards need frequent irrigation and mulching.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 23° | 8° |
| February | 14 | 28° | 12° |
| March | 12 | 35° | 17° |
| April | 20 | 40° | 24° |
| May | 61 | 41° | 27° |
| June | 166 | 39° | 29° |
| July | 295 | 34° | 27° |
| August | 233 | 33° | 26° |
| September | 196 | 32° | 25° |
| October | 50 | 31° | 21° |
| November | 1 | 28° | 15° |
| 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 Samastipur district (25.7748, 85.8672). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Samastipur Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Samastipur
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Begusarai - 37 km
- Darbhanga - 38 km
- Vaishali - 47 km
- Muzaffarpur - 68 km
- Sheikhpura - 72 km
- Madhubani - 74 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Bihar
Government Schemes for Samastipur Farmers
Farmers in Samastipur 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 Samastipur's maize growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Samastipur district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.