Agriculture in Aligarh District: Potato and wheat belt
Aligarh is one of Uttar Pradesh's notable agricultural districts, best known for potato and wheat belt. Its farmland is fed by Ganges, Yamuna and sits on predominantly alluvial loam soil, a combination that favours wheat, potato, mustard. Unlike a generic state average, Aligarh'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 Aligarh
The district's main crops are Wheat, Potato, Mustard (Rapeseed), Bajra (Pearl Millet). wheat leads the local economy, so Aligarh farmers should track the Wheat rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The alluvial loam soil here is fertile and well-drained, ideal for wheat, rice, sugarcane and vegetables.
Crop Calendar for Aligarh (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Aligarh'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 (16 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🌾 Wheat | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Mar-Apr) | ₹2,642/qtl |
| 🥔 Potato | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Jan-Mar) | ₹1,100/qtl |
| 🌿 Mustard (Rapeseed) | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Feb-Mar) | ₹8,000/qtl |
| 🌾 Bajra (Pearl Millet) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Sep-Oct) | ₹2,380/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Aligarh
With alluvial loam soil and water from the Ganges, Yamuna, the priority for Aligarh 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 wheat from Aligarh
Since wheat is central to Aligarh, time your sale using the live wheat rate. Sell at Aligarh Mandi and compare with neighbouring mandis. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Aligarh.
Mandi Prices in Aligarh
These are the crops actually trading in Aligarh's markets (Aligarh APMC, Atrauli APMC, Khair APMC, Charra APMC), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maize | ₹1,500 | ₹1,970 | ₹1,796 |
| Wheat | ₹2,410 | ₹2,470 | ₹2,445 |
| Potato | ₹500 | ₹600 | ₹521 |
| Green Chilli | ₹1,500 | ₹2,500 | ₹1,975 |
| Tomato | ₹1,000 | ₹1,400 | ₹1,200 |
| Bottle gourd | ₹800 | ₹1,100 | ₹938 |
| Pumpkin | ₹600 | ₹800 | ₹700 |
| Bajra(Pearl Millet/Cumbu) | ₹1,800 | ₹1,900 | ₹1,875 |
| Onion | ₹1,600 | ₹1,700 | ₹1,650 |
| Cucumbar(Kheera) | ₹900 | ₹1,000 | ₹950 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, as of 1 June 2026.
What Aligarh Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Aligarh's largest crops by area were Rice (Paddy), Wheat, Bajra (Pearl Millet). Rice (Paddy) alone covered 1,88,908 ha (33% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 2,600 kg/ha, 8% below the Uttar Pradesh average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Mustard (Rapeseed) area +161%, Rice (Paddy) area +104%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Uttar Pradesh avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (Paddy) | 1,88,908 | 4,91,088 | 2,600 | 2,816 | +104% |
| Wheat | 1,84,396 | 6,94,113 | 3,764 | 3,709 | -18% |
| Bajra (Pearl Millet) | 85,891 | 1,66,240 | 1,935 | 2,034 | +2% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 51,374 | 96,427 | 1,877 | 1,484 | +161% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 22,245 | 15,492 | 696 | 851 | +417% |
| Maize (Corn) | 16,157 | 48,416 | 2,997 | 2,879 | +15% |
| Barley | 6,182 | 18,422 | 2,980 | 2,768 | -23% |
| Sugarcane | 5,289 | 4,38,267 | 82,869 | 80,937 | -40% |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 4,945 | 8,451 | 1,709 | 1,622 | +494396% |
| Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) | 2,225 | 1,437 | 646 | 1,238 | -72% |
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. Uttar Pradesh average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Aligarh
Aligarh receives about 731 mm of rain in an average year, 84% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (221 mm). Days are hottest in May (average high 43°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 6°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in July, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- 84% of the year's rain falls in June-September, so rabi and summer crops need assured irrigation.
- Winter nights average about 6°C, cool enough for rabi crops such as wheat, mustard, gram and potato.
- 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 | 15 | 22° | 6° |
| February | 18 | 26° | 10° |
| March | 15 | 33° | 15° |
| April | 14 | 40° | 22° |
| May | 24 | 43° | 28° |
| June | 81 | 42° | 30° |
| July | 221 | 36° | 28° |
| August | 192 | 33° | 26° |
| September | 122 | 33° | 23° |
| October | 18 | 32° | 18° |
| November | 4 | 28° | 13° |
| December | 7 | 23° | 8° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Aligarh district (27.8761, 78.1358). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Aligarh Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Aligarh
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
Land records and Farmer ID in Uttar Pradesh
Government Schemes for Aligarh Farmers
Farmers in Aligarh 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 Aligarh's wheat growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Aligarh district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.