Agriculture in Latur District: Major soybean and tur (pulses) market
Latur is one of Maharashtra's notable agricultural districts, best known for major soybean and tur (pulses) market. Its farmland is fed by Manjira, Terna and sits on predominantly black soil, a combination that favours soybean, tur, sugarcane. Unlike a generic state average, Latur'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 Latur
The district's main crops are Soybean, tur, Sugarcane, Jowar (Sorghum). soybean leads the local economy, so Latur farmers should track the Soybean 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 Latur (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Latur'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) |
|---|---|---|
| 🫘 Soybean | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Sep-Nov) | ₹5,650/qtl |
| tur | Local seasonal crop | - |
| 🎋 Sugarcane | Plant: Feb-Mar (spring) or Oct-Nov (autumn), Harvest: 10-12 months | ₹350/qtl |
| 🌾 Jowar (Sorghum) | Kharif & Rabi | ₹3,608/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Latur
With black soil and water from the Manjira, Terna, the priority for Latur 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 soybean from Latur
Since soybean is central to Latur, time your sale using the live soybean 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 Latur.
Mandi Prices in Latur
These are the crops actually trading in Latur's markets (Latur APMC, Latur(Murud) APMC), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal Gram(Gram)(Whole) | ₹5,000 | ₹6,239 | ₹5,650 |
| Black Gram(Urd Beans)(Whole) | ₹7,000 | ₹7,799 | ₹7,700 |
| Safflower | ₹4,000 | ₹5,802 | ₹5,350 |
| Soyabean | ₹7,060 | ₹7,700 | ₹7,500 |
| Green Gram(Moong)(Whole) | ₹6,700 | ₹7,400 | ₹7,300 |
| Red gram/Arhar/Tur(whole) | ₹7,101 | ₹7,800 | ₹7,630 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Latur, Maharashtra, as of 1 June 2026.
What Latur Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Latur's largest crops by area were Soybean, Gram (Chana), Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea). Soybean alone covered 4,89,819 ha (48% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 1,876 kg/ha, 29% above the Maharashtra average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Safflower (Kusum) area +194%, Cotton area +156%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Maharashtra avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soybean | 4,89,819 | 9,18,748 | 1,876 | 1,453 | +19% |
| Gram (Chana) | 3,05,315 | 2,13,826 | 700 | 1,031 | +68% |
| Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) | 73,084 | 1,18,057 | 1,615 | 1,160 | -33% |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 42,434 | 38,279 | 902 | 1,091 | -56% |
| Sugarcane | 36,389 | 23,43,879 | 64,412 | 94,230 | +22% |
| Safflower (Kusum) | 19,118 | 10,378 | 543 | 608 | +194% |
| Cotton | 16,028 | 51,791 | 549 | 1,788 | +156% |
| Wheat | 13,107 | 22,642 | 1,727 | 1,922 | +45% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 7,070 | 7,477 | 1,058 | 640 | -38% |
| Maize (Corn) | 5,968 | 4,544 | 761 | 2,922 | -42% |
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 Latur
Latur receives about 787 mm of rain in an average year, 80% of it in June-September. The wettest month is August (171 mm). Days are hottest in May (average high 41°C) and nights coolest in December (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 41°C, so summer (zaid) crops and young orchards need frequent irrigation and mulching.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 30° | 14° |
| February | 4 | 34° | 17° |
| March | 15 | 37° | 21° |
| April | 17 | 40° | 25° |
| May | 29 | 41° | 27° |
| June | 121 | 34° | 24° |
| July | 167 | 31° | 22° |
| August | 171 | 30° | 21° |
| September | 169 | 29° | 21° |
| October | 74 | 29° | 19° |
| November | 14 | 29° | 15° |
| December | 2 | 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 Latur district (18.3553, 76.7549). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Latur Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Latur
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Bidar, Karnataka - 64 km
- Osmanabad - 70 km
- Parbhani - 105 km
- Nanded - 112 km
- Beed - 114 km
- Kalaburagi, Karnataka - 124 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Maharashtra
Government Schemes for Latur Farmers
Farmers in Latur 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 Latur's soybean growers, crop insurance and the soil health card matter most for the black-soil crops here. Apply at the Latur district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.