Agriculture in Bikaner District: Guar, groundnut and bajra of canal-irrigated desert
Bikaner is one of Rajasthan's notable agricultural districts, best known for guar, groundnut and bajra of canal-irrigated desert. Its farmland is fed by canal (IGNP) and sits on predominantly sandy desert soil, a combination that favours bajra, moth bean, guar. Unlike a generic state average, Bikaner'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 Bikaner
The district's main crops are Bajra (Pearl Millet), moth bean, Guar Seed (Cluster Bean Seed), Groundnut. bajra leads the local economy, so Bikaner farmers should track the Bajra (Pearl Millet) rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The sandy desert soil here drains fast and suits bajra, pulses, cumin and guar with careful water use.
Crop Calendar for Bikaner (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Bikaner'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) |
|---|---|---|
| 🌾 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 |
| 🥜 Groundnut | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹6,913/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Bikaner
With sandy desert soil and water from the canal (IGNP), the priority for Bikaner farmers is matching irrigation to the crop. Because the soil drains quickly, a drip system (45-90% subsidy) pays back fast here and a solar pump cuts the high cost of pumping groundwater. A free soil health card tells you exactly which nutrients your plot needs.
Best Way to Sell bajra from Bikaner
Since bajra is central to Bikaner, time your sale using the live bajra rate. Sell at Bikaner Mandi and compare with neighbouring mandis. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Bikaner.
Mandi Prices in Bikaner
These are the crops actually trading in Bikaner's markets (Sridungargarh APMC), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat | ₹2,710 | ₹2,710 | ₹2,710 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Bikaner, Rajasthan, as of 1 June 2026.
What Bikaner Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Bikaner's largest crops by area were Guar Seed (Cluster Bean Seed), Groundnut, Mustard (Rapeseed). Guar Seed (Cluster Bean Seed) alone covered 6,96,091 ha (39% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 557 kg/ha, 16% below the Rajasthan average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Cotton area +116%, Mustard (Rapeseed) area +113%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Rajasthan avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guar Seed (Cluster Bean Seed) | 6,96,091 | 3,87,682 | 557 | 662 | +5% |
| Groundnut | 3,27,869 | 7,16,508 | 2,185 | 2,024 | +34% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 3,19,032 | 3,63,244 | 1,139 | 1,552 | +113% |
| Wheat | 1,15,754 | 3,80,570 | 3,288 | 3,559 | -7% |
| Gram (Chana) | 1,02,019 | 1,11,581 | 1,094 | 1,215 | -57% |
| Bajra (Pearl Millet) | 98,038 | 52,147 | 532 | 1,147 | +6% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 51,308 | 30,273 | 590 | 516 | -87% |
| Cotton | 39,362 | 1,05,967 | 458 | 2,847 | +116% |
| Barley | 8,181 | 24,499 | 2,995 | 3,707 | -7% |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 4,238 | 3,437 | 811 | 811 | +1871% |
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 Bikaner
Bikaner receives about 285 mm of rain in an average year, 76% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (76 mm). Days are hottest in May (average high 42°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 8°C).
- At about 285 mm a year this is dry country: hardy crops (bajra, guar, moth, pulses), water harvesting and drip irrigation make the most of every millimetre.
- Winter nights average about 8°C, cool enough for rabi crops such as wheat, mustard, gram and potato.
- May days average 42°C, so summer (zaid) crops and young orchards need frequent irrigation and mulching.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 22° | 8° |
| February | 10 | 26° | 11° |
| March | 10 | 32° | 17° |
| April | 10 | 38° | 23° |
| May | 21 | 42° | 28° |
| June | 40 | 42° | 31° |
| July | 76 | 40° | 30° |
| August | 66 | 38° | 28° |
| September | 36 | 38° | 26° |
| October | 5 | 35° | 21° |
| November | 5 | 29° | 15° |
| December | 3 | 24° | 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 Bikaner district (28.1162, 73.1106). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Bikaner Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Bikaner
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Phalodi - 127 km
- Nagaur - 140 km
- Churu - 155 km
- Sri Ganganagar - 156 km
- Hanumangarh - 181 km
- Jodhpur - 190 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Rajasthan
Government Schemes for Bikaner Farmers
Farmers in Bikaner 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 Bikaner's bajra growers, the solar pump and drip subsidies are especially valuable. Apply at the Bikaner district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.