Agriculture in Bhilwara District: Western Dry Region
Rajasthan falls mainly in the Western Dry Region agro-climatic zone (arid hot desert, 100-400mm of rain a year across the zone), where Thar desert margin; drought-hardy millets, pulses and irrigated mustard is typical. Soils in this zone are mostly sandy desert and saline soil. Crops commonly grown across the zone include Bajra (Pearl Millet), moth bean, Guar Seed (Cluster Bean Seed), Cumin (Jeera), Mustard (Rapeseed), Wheat.
These are zone-level facts (ICAR / Planning Commission agro-climatic classification), not a crop census of Bhilwara itself. Bhilwara's own month-by-month rainfall and temperatures are in the climate section.
Crop Calendar for the Western Dry Region
| Crop | Season & Window | All-India rate (3 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🌾 Bajra (Pearl Millet) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Sep-Oct) | ₹2,300/qtl |
| moth bean | Local seasonal crop | - |
| 🌿 Guar Seed (Cluster Bean Seed) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Sep-Oct) | ₹4,500/qtl |
| 🌿 Cumin (Jeera) | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Feb-Mar) | ₹7,495/qtl |
| 🌿 Mustard (Rapeseed) | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Feb-Mar) | ₹7,540/qtl |
| 🌾 Wheat | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Mar-Apr) | ₹2,604/qtl |
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.
What Bhilwara Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Bhilwara's largest crops by area were Maize (Corn), Wheat, Gram (Chana). Maize (Corn) alone covered 1,95,613 ha (27% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 2,467 kg/ha, 7% below the Rajasthan average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Groundnut area +82%, Cotton area -52%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Rajasthan avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maize (Corn) | 1,95,613 | 4,82,621 | 2,467 | 2,658 | +14% |
| Wheat | 1,51,157 | 4,98,759 | 3,300 | 3,559 | +3% |
| Gram (Chana) | 94,506 | 1,33,343 | 1,411 | 1,215 | +19% |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 70,559 | 71,404 | 1,012 | 811 | +3% |
| Urad (Black Gram) | 64,092 | 22,479 | 351 | 365 | +6% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 45,984 | 72,615 | 1,579 | 1,552 | +33% |
| Barley | 28,589 | 89,345 | 3,125 | 3,707 | +10% |
| Groundnut | 21,677 | 31,046 | 1,432 | 2,024 | +82% |
| Cotton | 21,219 | 53,507 | 429 | 2,847 | -52% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 8,278 | 4,264 | 515 | 516 | -32% |
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. Rajasthan average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Bhilwara
Bhilwara receives about 638 mm of rain in an average year, 92% of it in June-September. The wettest month is August (220 mm). Days are hottest in May (average high 43°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 7°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in July, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- 92% of the year's rain falls in June-September, so rabi and summer crops need assured irrigation.
- Winter nights average about 7°C, cool enough for rabi crops such as wheat, mustard, gram and potato.
- March days already average 34°C, so late-sown wheat risks heat stress at grain filling. Sowing by mid-November is safer.
- May days average 43°C, so summer (zaid) crops and young orchards need frequent irrigation and mulching.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 24° | 7° |
| February | 7 | 28° | 10° |
| March | 7 | 34° | 16° |
| April | 7 | 40° | 22° |
| May | 11 | 43° | 27° |
| June | 73 | 40° | 28° |
| July | 205 | 35° | 25° |
| August | 220 | 32° | 24° |
| September | 86 | 32° | 22° |
| October | 11 | 33° | 18° |
| November | 5 | 30° | 14° |
| December | 2 | 25° | 9° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Bhilwara district (25.471, 74.6961). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Bhilwara Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Bhilwara
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Beawar - 82 km
- Chittorgarh - 87 km
- Rajsamand - 90 km
- Ajmer - 96 km
- Bundi - 104 km
- Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh - 106 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Rajasthan
Government Schemes for Bhilwara Farmers
Farmers in Bhilwara 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 Bhilwara's bajra growers, the solar pump and drip subsidies are especially valuable. Apply at the Bhilwara district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.