Agriculture in Junagadh District: Groundnut hub and Kesar mango (Girnar)
Junagadh is one of Gujarat's notable agricultural districts, best known for groundnut hub and Kesar mango (Girnar). Its farmland is fed by Ozat, Uben and sits on predominantly medium black soil, a combination that favours groundnut, wheat, cotton. Unlike a generic state average, Junagadh'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 Junagadh
The district's main crops are Groundnut, Wheat, Cotton, Mango. groundnut leads the local economy, so Junagadh farmers should track the Groundnut rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The medium black soil here holds moisture well and suits cotton, soybean, pulses and oilseeds.
Crop Calendar for Junagadh (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Junagadh'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) |
|---|---|---|
| 🥜 Groundnut | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹6,913/qtl |
| 🌾 Wheat | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Mar-Apr) | ₹2,604/qtl |
| 🪴 Cotton | Kharif (Sow: Apr-Jun, Pick: Oct-Jan) | ₹8,250/qtl |
| 🥭 Mango | Summer (main harvest: Apr-Jun) | ₹9,800/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Junagadh
With medium black soil and water from the Ozat, Uben, the priority for Junagadh 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 groundnut from Junagadh
Since groundnut is central to Junagadh, time your sale using the live groundnut rate. Sell at Junagadh Mandi and compare with neighbouring mandis. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Junagadh.
What Junagadh Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Junagadh's largest crops by area were Groundnut, Wheat, Gram (Chana). Groundnut alone covered 2,09,914 ha (37% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 3,363 kg/ha, 27% above the Gujarat average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Gram (Chana) area +97%, Urad (Black Gram) area +91%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Gujarat avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groundnut | 2,09,914 | 7,05,990 | 3,363 | 2,657 | -12% |
| Wheat | 1,00,485 | 3,74,094 | 3,723 | 3,017 | -2% |
| Gram (Chana) | 88,969 | 1,62,972 | 1,832 | 1,841 | +97% |
| Soybean | 58,782 | 98,890 | 1,682 | 1,523 | +2077% |
| Cotton | 35,969 | 1,21,164 | 573 | 3,018 | -52% |
| Sesame (Til) | 27,056 | 29,411 | 1,087 | 826 | +89% |
| Urad (Black Gram) | 14,193 | 20,656 | 1,455 | 787 | +91% |
| Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) | 13,659 | 24,031 | 1,759 | 1,162 | +1538% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 7,638 | 9,546 | 1,250 | 970 | -5% |
| Bajra (Pearl Millet) | 2,950 | 6,645 | 2,253 | 2,531 | +60% |
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. Gujarat average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Junagadh
Junagadh receives about 842 mm of rain in an average year, 97% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (297 mm). Days are hottest in April (average high 40°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 12°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in June, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- 97% of the year's rain falls in June-September, so rabi and summer crops need assured irrigation.
- January days still average 30°C, too warm for wheat to yield well; the cool season suits warm-tolerant pulses, oilseeds and vegetables better.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 30° | 12° |
| February | 0 | 33° | 14° |
| March | 1 | 37° | 18° |
| April | 2 | 40° | 22° |
| May | 3 | 40° | 24° |
| June | 136 | 35° | 26° |
| July | 297 | 31° | 25° |
| August | 241 | 30° | 24° |
| September | 139 | 31° | 23° |
| October | 14 | 33° | 21° |
| November | 8 | 33° | 17° |
| December | 1 | 30° | 14° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Junagadh district (21.3365, 70.425). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Junagadh Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Junagadh
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
Land records and Farmer ID in Gujarat
Government Schemes for Junagadh Farmers
Farmers in Junagadh 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 Junagadh's groundnut growers, crop insurance and the soil health card matter most for the black-soil crops here. Apply at the Junagadh district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.