Agriculture in Ahmednagar District: Largest sugar-cooperative district, pomegranate
Ahmednagar is one of Maharashtra's notable agricultural districts, best known for largest sugar-cooperative district, pomegranate. Its farmland is fed by Pravara, Mula and sits on predominantly black soil, a combination that favours sugarcane, onion, pomegranate. Unlike a generic state average, Ahmednagar'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 Ahmednagar
The district's main crops are Sugarcane, Onion, Pomegranate, Wheat. sugarcane leads the local economy, so Ahmednagar farmers should track the Sugarcane rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The black soil here holds moisture well and suits cotton, soybean, pulses and oilseeds.
Crop Calendar for Ahmednagar (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Ahmednagar'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 (16 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🎋 Sugarcane | Plant: Feb-Mar (spring) or Oct-Nov (autumn), Harvest: 10-12 months | ₹350/qtl |
| 🧅 Onion | Kharif (Jun-Jul sow) & Rabi (Oct-Nov sow) | ₹4,250/qtl |
| 🔴 Pomegranate | Year-round (main: Feb-Apr & Sep-Nov) | ₹10,500/qtl |
| 🌾 Wheat | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Mar-Apr) | ₹2,642/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Ahmednagar
With black soil and water from the Pravara, Mula, the priority for Ahmednagar 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 sugarcane from Ahmednagar
Since sugarcane is central to Ahmednagar, time your sale using the live sugarcane rate. Compare rates at the nearest APMC mandi with the Maharashtra price page. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Ahmednagar.
What Ahmednagar Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Ahmednagar's largest crops by area were Soybean, Cotton, Jowar (Sorghum). Soybean alone covered 1,82,325 ha (14% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 2,089 kg/ha, 44% above the Maharashtra average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) area +279%, Urad (Black Gram) area +167%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Maharashtra avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soybean | 1,82,325 | 3,80,869 | 2,089 | 1,453 | +157% |
| Cotton | 1,61,437 | 3,21,731 | 339 | 1,788 | +1% |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 1,49,278 | 1,33,069 | 891 | 1,091 | -59% |
| Sugarcane | 1,42,628 | 1,34,03,662 | 93,977 | 94,230 | +101% |
| Maize (Corn) | 1,39,403 | 4,23,303 | 3,037 | 2,922 | +82% |
| Wheat | 1,27,641 | 2,54,872 | 1,997 | 1,922 | +88% |
| Gram (Chana) | 1,07,723 | 90,910 | 844 | 1,031 | +11% |
| Bajra (Pearl Millet) | 84,523 | 1,14,454 | 1,354 | 1,272 | -42% |
| Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) | 74,916 | 73,697 | 984 | 1,160 | +279% |
| Urad (Black Gram) | 69,978 | 76,154 | 1,088 | 833 | +167% |
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. Maharashtra average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Ahmednagar
Ahmednagar receives about 661 mm of rain in an average year, 80% of it in June-September. The wettest month is September (150 mm). Days are hottest in May (average high 40°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 13°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in June, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- 80% 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.
- May days average 40°C, so summer (zaid) crops and young orchards need frequent irrigation and mulching.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 30° | 13° |
| February | 2 | 34° | 16° |
| March | 9 | 37° | 19° |
| April | 6 | 40° | 23° |
| May | 17 | 40° | 24° |
| June | 114 | 33° | 23° |
| July | 133 | 30° | 22° |
| August | 134 | 29° | 21° |
| September | 150 | 30° | 21° |
| October | 71 | 30° | 18° |
| November | 20 | 29° | 15° |
| December | 3 | 29° | 13° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Ahmednagar district (19.1628, 74.858). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Ahmednagar Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Ahmednagar
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
Land records and Farmer ID in Maharashtra
Government Schemes for Ahmednagar Farmers
Farmers in Ahmednagar 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 Ahmednagar's sugarcane growers, crop insurance and the soil health card matter most for the black-soil crops here. Apply at the Ahmednagar district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.