Agriculture in Nashik District: India's grape & wine capital, major onion market (Lasalgaon)
Nashik is one of Maharashtra's notable agricultural districts, best known for India's grape & wine capital, major onion market (Lasalgaon). Its farmland is fed by Godavari, Girna, Darna and sits on predominantly basaltic black to red soil, a combination that favours grapes, onion, tomato. Unlike a generic state average, Nashik'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 Nashik
The district's main crops are Grapes, Onion, Tomato, Wheat, millet. grapes leads the local economy, so Nashik farmers should track the Grapes rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The basaltic black to red soil here holds moisture well and suits cotton, soybean, pulses and oilseeds.
Crop Calendar for Nashik (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Nashik'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) |
|---|---|---|
| 🍇 Grapes | Feb-Apr | ₹10,500/qtl |
| 🧅 Onion | Kharif (Jun-Jul sow) & Rabi (Oct-Nov sow) | ₹4,800/qtl |
| 🍅 Tomato | Year-round with peaks Jun-Aug | ₹3,000/qtl |
| 🌾 Wheat | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Mar-Apr) | ₹2,604/qtl |
| millet | Local seasonal crop | - |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Nashik
With basaltic black to red soil and water from the Godavari, Girna, Darna, the priority for Nashik 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 grapes from Nashik
Since grapes is central to Nashik, time your sale using the live grapes rate. Sell at Lasalgaon APMC and compare with neighbouring mandis. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Nashik.
Mandi Prices in Nashik
These are the crops actually trading in Nashik's markets (Chandvad APMC, Devala APMC, Lasalgaon APMC, Lasalgaon(Niphad) APMC and 4 more), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onion | ₹100 | ₹2,200 | ₹1,347 |
| Wheat | ₹1,900 | ₹2,671 | ₹2,429 |
| Maize | ₹1,731 | ₹2,222 | ₹2,094 |
| Bajra(Pearl Millet/Cumbu) | ₹1,500 | ₹2,770 | ₹2,229 |
| Soyabean | ₹3,000 | ₹7,501 | ₹7,289 |
| Bengal Gram(Gram)(Whole) | ₹4,105 | ₹5,874 | ₹4,873 |
| Jowar(Sorghum) | ₹1,500 | ₹4,276 | ₹2,920 |
| Chikoos(Sapota) | ₹1,500 | ₹5,000 | ₹3,500 |
| Apple | ₹6,500 | ₹18,000 | ₹12,000 |
| Potato | ₹750 | ₹1,400 | ₹1,050 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Nashik, Maharashtra, as of 1 June 2026.
What Nashik Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Nashik's largest crops by area were Maize (Corn), Soybean, Rice (Paddy). Maize (Corn) alone covered 2,93,127 ha (39% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 4,207 kg/ha, 44% above the Maharashtra average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Moong (Green Gram) area +113%, Maize (Corn) area +58%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Maharashtra avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maize (Corn) | 2,93,127 | 12,33,186 | 4,207 | 2,922 | +58% |
| Soybean | 1,14,366 | 1,83,514 | 1,605 | 1,453 | +53% |
| Rice (Paddy) | 94,298 | 1,85,900 | 1,971 | 2,299 | +24% |
| Bajra (Pearl Millet) | 57,387 | 98,564 | 1,718 | 1,272 | -41% |
| Wheat | 40,004 | 1,00,674 | 2,517 | 1,922 | -51% |
| Cotton | 36,271 | 78,205 | 367 | 1,788 | -43% |
| Gram (Chana) | 27,259 | 18,710 | 686 | 1,031 | -57% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 20,704 | 16,374 | 791 | 640 | +113% |
| Groundnut | 20,234 | 27,193 | 1,344 | 1,448 | -27% |
| Ragi (Finger Millet) | 16,308 | 13,812 | 847 | 1,397 | -24% |
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 Nashik
Nashik receives about 860 mm of rain in an average year, 87% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (221 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.
- 87% 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 | 1 | 30° | 12° |
| February | 3 | 33° | 15° |
| March | 8 | 36° | 18° |
| April | 5 | 40° | 22° |
| May | 12 | 40° | 23° |
| June | 151 | 33° | 23° |
| July | 221 | 29° | 22° |
| August | 196 | 28° | 21° |
| September | 178 | 28° | 21° |
| October | 61 | 29° | 18° |
| November | 21 | 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 Nashik district (20.2255, 74.1042). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Nashik Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Nashik
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Dang, Gujarat - 75 km
- Valsad, Gujarat - 103 km
- Dhule - 108 km
- Palghar - 118 km
- Tapi, Gujarat - 122 km
- Thane - 123 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Maharashtra
Government Schemes for Nashik Farmers
Farmers in Nashik 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 Nashik's grapes growers, crop insurance and the soil health card matter most for the black-soil crops here. Apply at the Nashik district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.