Agriculture in Tonk 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 Tonk itself. What actually trades in Tonk's own mandis is listed below. Tonk'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.
Mandi Prices in Tonk
These are the crops actually trading in Tonk's markets (Uniyara APMC, Malpura APMC, Todaraisingh APMC, Dooni APMC), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mustard | ₹7,131 | ₹7,900 | ₹7,527 |
| Wheat | ₹2,300 | ₹2,438 | ₹2,363 |
| Green Gram(Moong)(Whole) | ₹6,500 | ₹7,100 | ₹6,975 |
| Bengal Gram(Gram)(Whole) | ₹5,500 | ₹5,551 | ₹5,525 |
| Black Gram(Urd Beans)(Whole) | ₹4,000 | ₹4,000 | ₹4,000 |
| Bajra(Pearl Millet/Cumbu) | ₹1,900 | ₹1,975 | ₹1,930 |
| Barley(Jau) | ₹2,260 | ₹2,260 | ₹2,260 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Tonk, Rajasthan, as of 1 June 2026.
What Tonk Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Tonk's largest crops by area were Mustard (Rapeseed), Jowar (Sorghum), Urad (Black Gram). Mustard (Rapeseed) alone covered 3,16,389 ha (39% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 1,787 kg/ha, 15% above the Rajasthan average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Sesame (Til) area -77%, Jowar (Sorghum) area +37%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Rajasthan avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 3,16,389 | 5,65,286 | 1,787 | 1,552 | +12% |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 97,179 | 50,824 | 523 | 811 | +37% |
| Urad (Black Gram) | 89,407 | 29,775 | 333 | 365 | +5% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 76,045 | 30,935 | 407 | 516 | +6% |
| Gram (Chana) | 74,627 | 1,48,793 | 1,994 | 1,215 | -17% |
| Bajra (Pearl Millet) | 62,704 | 81,870 | 1,306 | 1,147 | +22% |
| Wheat | 50,659 | 1,80,300 | 3,559 | 3,559 | -16% |
| Groundnut | 21,287 | 32,340 | 1,519 | 2,024 | +18% |
| Sesame (Til) | 5,922 | 1,816 | 307 | 363 | -77% |
| Maize (Corn) | 5,526 | 3,682 | 666 | 2,658 | -20% |
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 Tonk
Tonk receives about 611 mm of rain in an average year, 90% of it in June-September. The wettest month is August (204 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.
- 90% 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 | 5 | 24° | 7° |
| February | 8 | 28° | 10° |
| March | 9 | 34° | 16° |
| April | 7 | 40° | 23° |
| May | 13 | 43° | 28° |
| June | 72 | 41° | 29° |
| July | 195 | 35° | 26° |
| August | 204 | 33° | 24° |
| September | 79 | 33° | 23° |
| October | 11 | 33° | 19° |
| November | 5 | 30° | 14° |
| December | 3 | 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 Tonk district (26.1223, 75.6632). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Tonk Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Tonk
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
Land records and Farmer ID in Rajasthan
Government Schemes for Tonk Farmers
Farmers in Tonk 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 Tonk's bajra growers, the solar pump and drip subsidies are especially valuable. Apply at the Tonk district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.