Agriculture in Satara District: Sugarcane and Mahabaleshwar strawberry
Satara is one of Maharashtra's notable agricultural districts, best known for sugarcane and Mahabaleshwar strawberry. Its farmland is fed by Krishna, Koyna and sits on predominantly black & red soil, a combination that favours sugarcane, jowar, strawberry. Unlike a generic state average, Satara'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 Satara
The district's main crops are Sugarcane, Jowar (Sorghum), strawberry, Wheat. sugarcane leads the local economy, so Satara farmers should track the Sugarcane rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The black & red soil here holds moisture well and suits cotton, soybean, pulses and oilseeds.
Crop Calendar for Satara (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Satara'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) |
|---|---|---|
| 🎋 Sugarcane | Plant: Feb-Mar (spring) or Oct-Nov (autumn), Harvest: 10-12 months | ₹350/qtl |
| 🌾 Jowar (Sorghum) | Kharif & Rabi | ₹3,608/qtl |
| strawberry | Local seasonal crop | - |
| 🌾 Wheat | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Mar-Apr) | ₹2,604/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Satara
With black & red soil and water from the Krishna, Koyna, the priority for Satara 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 Satara
Since sugarcane is central to Satara, 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 Satara.
Mandi Prices in Satara
These are the crops actually trading in Satara's markets (Karad APMC, Patan APMC, Satara APMC, Vai APMC and 1 more), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Chilli | ₹2,500 | ₹6,000 | ₹4,600 |
| Cucumbar(Kheera) | ₹2,000 | ₹3,500 | ₹2,917 |
| Guar | ₹3,000 | ₹5,000 | ₹4,500 |
| Tomato | ₹2,000 | ₹3,000 | ₹2,750 |
| Peas Wet | ₹7,000 | ₹10,000 | ₹8,500 |
| Bhindi(Ladies Finger) | ₹2,000 | ₹4,000 | ₹3,000 |
| Ginger(Green) | ₹4,000 | ₹6,000 | ₹5,250 |
| Bottle gourd | ₹1,000 | ₹2,200 | ₹1,625 |
| Chilly Capsicum | ₹3,000 | ₹4,500 | ₹4,000 |
| Beans | ₹6,000 | ₹7,000 | ₹7,000 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Satara, Maharashtra, as of 1 June 2026.
What Satara Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Satara's largest crops by area were Jowar (Sorghum), Soybean, Sugarcane. Jowar (Sorghum) alone covered 1,37,357 ha (24% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 1,069 kg/ha, 2% below the Maharashtra average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Ragi (Finger Millet) area -34%, Soybean area +33%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Maharashtra avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 1,37,357 | 1,46,846 | 1,069 | 1,091 | -25% |
| Soybean | 94,114 | 1,90,482 | 2,024 | 1,453 | +33% |
| Sugarcane | 86,555 | 86,44,820 | 99,876 | 94,230 | +3% |
| Rice (Paddy) | 43,549 | 71,580 | 1,644 | 2,299 | -12% |
| Bajra (Pearl Millet) | 41,705 | 45,072 | 1,081 | 1,272 | -27% |
| Wheat | 39,126 | 67,820 | 1,733 | 1,922 | +4% |
| Maize (Corn) | 38,117 | 1,11,211 | 2,918 | 2,922 | +6% |
| Groundnut | 31,133 | 41,227 | 1,324 | 1,448 | -13% |
| Gram (Chana) | 30,460 | 19,632 | 645 | 1,031 | +8% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 11,857 | 7,776 | 656 | 640 | +1% |
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 Satara
Satara receives about 948 mm of rain in an average year, 85% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (254 mm). Days are hottest in April (average high 39°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.
- 85% 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° | 13° |
| February | 2 | 33° | 15° |
| March | 5 | 36° | 19° |
| April | 7 | 39° | 22° |
| May | 31 | 37° | 22° |
| June | 187 | 30° | 22° |
| July | 254 | 27° | 21° |
| August | 215 | 27° | 20° |
| September | 151 | 27° | 20° |
| October | 77 | 29° | 18° |
| November | 16 | 28° | 15° |
| December | 2 | 28° | 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 Satara district (17.6361, 74.2983). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Satara Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Satara
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 Satara Farmers
Farmers in Satara 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 Satara's sugarcane growers, crop insurance and the soil health card matter most for the black-soil crops here. Apply at the Satara district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.