Agriculture in Kinnaur District: High-altitude apple and chilgoza
Kinnaur is one of Himachal Pradesh's notable agricultural districts, best known for high-altitude apple and chilgoza. Its farmland is fed by Sutlej, Spiti and sits on predominantly mountain soil, a combination that favours apple, almond, rajma. Unlike a generic state average, Kinnaur'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 Kinnaur
The district's main crops are Apple, Almond (Badam), Rajma (Kidney Bean), peas. apple leads the local economy, so Kinnaur farmers should track the Apple rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The mountain soil here supports a mix of cereals and cash crops.
Crop Calendar for Kinnaur (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Kinnaur'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 (17 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🍎 Apple | Aug-Nov | ₹8,000/qtl |
| 🟤 Almond (Badam) | Summer harvest (May-Jul) | ₹97,500/qtl |
| 🫘 Rajma (Kidney Bean) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov); Rabi in hills | ₹4,500/qtl |
| peas | Local seasonal crop | - |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Kinnaur
With mountain soil and water from the Sutlej, Spiti, the priority for Kinnaur 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 apple from Kinnaur
Since apple is central to Kinnaur, time your sale using the live apple rate. Compare rates at the nearest APMC mandi with the Himachal Pradesh price page. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Kinnaur.
What Kinnaur Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Kinnaur's largest crops by area were Barley, Maize (Corn), Wheat. Barley alone covered 781 ha (84% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 1,941 kg/ha, 15% above the Himachal Pradesh average.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Himachal Pradesh avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barley | 781 | 1,516 | 1,941 | 1,690 | +11% |
| Maize (Corn) | 74 | 200 | 2,701 | 2,650 | -13% |
| Wheat | 64 | 130 | 2,034 | 2,120 | -64% |
| Rice (Paddy) | 4 | 8 | 2,083 | 2,080 | -60% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 3 | 2 | 741 | 810 | - |
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. Himachal Pradesh average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Kinnaur
Kinnaur receives about 752 mm of rain in an average year, 73% of it in June-September. The wettest month is August (188 mm). Days are hottest in July (average high 16°C) and nights coolest in January (average low -14°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in July, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- Winter nights average about -14°C, cool enough for rabi crops such as wheat, mustard, gram and potato.
- Satellite records show about 228 frost days a year. Protect potato, mustard at flowering and nursery vegetables, for example with a light irrigation before a cold night.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34 | -3° | -14° |
| February | 38 | -1° | -13° |
| March | 38 | 3° | -9° |
| April | 28 | 8° | -4° |
| May | 34 | 12° | 0° |
| June | 90 | 15° | 3° |
| July | 184 | 16° | 6° |
| August | 188 | 14° | 6° |
| September | 88 | 13° | 2° |
| October | 10 | 8° | -3° |
| November | 9 | 4° | -8° |
| December | 11 | 0° | -11° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Kinnaur district (31.593, 78.3281). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Kinnaur Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Kinnaur
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Shimla - 70 km
- Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand - 76 km
- Kullu - 89 km
- Lahaul and Spiti - 123 km
- Mandi - 125 km
- Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand - 126 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Himachal Pradesh
Government Schemes for Kinnaur Farmers
Farmers in Kinnaur 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 Kinnaur's apple growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Kinnaur district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.