Agriculture in Chitradurga District: Southern Plateau and Hills
Karnataka falls mainly in the Southern Plateau and Hills agro-climatic zone (semi-arid, 677-1000mm of rain a year across the zone), where rain-fed millet, groundnut and chilli belt of the southern Deccan is typical. Soils in this zone are mostly red sandy loam and shallow black soil. Crops commonly grown across the zone include Ragi (Finger Millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Groundnut, pulses, Cotton, chilli, oilseeds.
These are zone-level facts (ICAR / Planning Commission agro-climatic classification), not a crop census of Chitradurga itself. What actually trades in Chitradurga's own mandis is listed below. Chitradurga's own month-by-month rainfall and temperatures are in the climate section.
Crop Calendar for the Southern Plateau and Hills
| Crop | Season & Window | All-India rate (3 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🌾 Ragi (Finger Millet) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹2,776/qtl |
| 🌾 Jowar (Sorghum) | Kharif & Rabi | ₹3,608/qtl |
| 🥜 Groundnut | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹6,913/qtl |
| pulses | Local seasonal crop | - |
| 🪴 Cotton | Kharif (Sow: Apr-Jun, Pick: Oct-Jan) | ₹8,250/qtl |
| chilli | Local seasonal crop | - |
| oilseeds | 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.
Mandi Prices in Chitradurga
These are the crops actually trading in Chitradurga's markets (Holalkere APMC, Hosadurga APMC, Challakere APMC, Hiriyur APMC), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arecanut(Betelnut/Supari) | ₹21,500 | ₹26,000 | ₹23,367 |
| Same/Savi | ₹4,000 | ₹5,000 | ₹4,000 |
| Groundnut | ₹4,219 | ₹8,809 | ₹7,166 |
| Corriander seed | ₹6,132 | ₹8,000 | ₹7,392 |
| Copra | ₹10,758 | ₹10,758 | ₹10,758 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Chitradurga, Karnataka, as of 1 June 2026.
What Chitradurga Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Chitradurga's largest crops by area were Maize (Corn), Groundnut, Ragi (Finger Millet). Maize (Corn) alone covered 1,15,626 ha (34% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 3,317 kg/ha, 3% above the Karnataka average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) area +265%, Sunflower area +261%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Karnataka avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maize (Corn) | 1,15,626 | 3,83,515 | 3,317 | 3,234 | +21% |
| Groundnut | 1,02,475 | 82,051 | 801 | 961 | -14% |
| Ragi (Finger Millet) | 44,485 | 53,857 | 1,211 | 1,542 | -4% |
| Gram (Chana) | 32,071 | 21,584 | 673 | 597 | -7% |
| Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) | 21,083 | 10,223 | 485 | 572 | +265% |
| Sunflower | 9,319 | 10,635 | 1,141 | 1,032 | +261% |
| Cotton | 8,933 | 24,136 | 459 | 3,353 | -50% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 3,084 | 865 | 280 | 427 | +254% |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 3,038 | 3,745 | 1,232 | 1,257 | -81% |
| Rice (Paddy) | 1,825 | 4,766 | 2,611 | 3,345 | +83% |
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. Karnataka average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Chitradurga
Chitradurga receives about 703 mm of rain in an average year, 58% of it in June-September. The wettest month is September (116 mm). Days are hottest in April (average high 37°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 15°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in July, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- January days still average 31°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 | 1 | 31° | 15° |
| February | 3 | 34° | 17° |
| March | 16 | 37° | 20° |
| April | 37 | 37° | 23° |
| May | 82 | 35° | 22° |
| June | 82 | 30° | 21° |
| July | 109 | 28° | 21° |
| August | 103 | 28° | 20° |
| September | 116 | 29° | 20° |
| October | 111 | 29° | 19° |
| November | 38 | 29° | 17° |
| December | 5 | 29° | 15° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Chitradurga district (14.3049, 76.5297). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Chitradurga Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Chitradurga
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Davanagere - 76 km
- Vijayanagara - 88 km
- Tumakuru - 106 km
- Ballari - 120 km
- Haveri - 133 km
- Chikkamagaluru - 139 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Karnataka
Government Schemes for Chitradurga Farmers
Farmers in Chitradurga 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 Chitradurga's ragi growers, the solar pump and drip subsidies are especially valuable. Apply at the Chitradurga district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.