Agriculture in Gorakhpur District: Rice-wheat plains of eastern UP
Gorakhpur is one of Uttar Pradesh's notable agricultural districts, best known for rice-wheat plains of eastern UP. Its farmland is fed by Rapti, Rohini and sits on predominantly alluvial soil, a combination that favours rice, wheat, sugarcane. Unlike a generic state average, Gorakhpur'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 Gorakhpur
The district's main crops are Rice (Paddy), Wheat, Sugarcane. rice leads the local economy, so Gorakhpur farmers should track the Rice (Paddy) rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The alluvial soil here is fertile and well-drained, ideal for wheat, rice, sugarcane and vegetables.
Crop Calendar for Gorakhpur (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Gorakhpur'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) |
|---|---|---|
| 🍚 Rice (Paddy) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹3,680/qtl |
| 🌾 Wheat | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Mar-Apr) | ₹2,604/qtl |
| 🎋 Sugarcane | Plant: Feb-Mar (spring) or Oct-Nov (autumn), Harvest: 10-12 months | ₹350/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Gorakhpur
With alluvial soil and water from the Rapti, Rohini, the priority for Gorakhpur 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 rice from Gorakhpur
Since rice is central to Gorakhpur, time your sale using the live rice rate. Sell at Gorakhpur Mandi and compare with neighbouring mandis. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Gorakhpur.
Mandi Prices in Gorakhpur
These are the crops actually trading in Gorakhpur's markets (Chorichora APMC, Gorakhpur APMC, Sehjanwa APMC), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat | ₹2,405 | ₹2,550 | ₹2,474 |
| Paddy(Common) | ₹2,210 | ₹2,240 | ₹2,215 |
| Wood | ₹450 | ₹450 | ₹450 |
| Fish | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 |
| Gram Raw(Chholia) | ₹5,840 | ₹6,300 | ₹6,024 |
| Rice | ₹2,400 | ₹2,400 | ₹2,400 |
| Garlic | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 |
| Black Gram Dal(Urd Dal) | ₹8,200 | ₹8,200 | ₹8,200 |
| Potato | ₹800 | ₹800 | ₹800 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, as of 1 June 2026.
What Gorakhpur Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Gorakhpur's largest crops by area were Wheat, Rice (Paddy), Mustard (Rapeseed). Wheat alone covered 1,73,287 ha (49% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 4,002 kg/ha, 8% above the Uttar Pradesh average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Mustard (Rapeseed) area +117%, Groundnut area -56%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Uttar Pradesh avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat | 1,73,287 | 6,93,428 | 4,002 | 3,709 | -9% |
| Rice (Paddy) | 1,53,743 | 4,42,261 | 2,877 | 2,816 | +5% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 12,000 | 17,637 | 1,470 | 1,484 | +117% |
| Maize (Corn) | 3,167 | 9,375 | 2,960 | 2,879 | +5% |
| Sesame (Til) | 2,381 | 689 | 290 | 291 | +1108% |
| Sugarcane | 2,273 | 1,57,352 | 69,234 | 80,937 | -9% |
| Masur (Lentil) | 1,949 | 2,855 | 1,465 | 1,038 | +45% |
| Barley | 1,865 | 5,163 | 2,768 | 2,768 | +2% |
| Groundnut | 1,352 | 1,455 | 1,076 | 1,100 | -56% |
| Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) | 991 | 1,242 | 1,254 | 1,238 | -70% |
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 Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur receives about 1028 mm of rain in an average year, 86% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (317 mm). Days are hottest in May (average high 42°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 8°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in June, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- 86% of the year's rain falls in June-September, so rabi and summer crops need assured irrigation.
- Winter nights average about 8°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 42°C, so summer (zaid) crops and young orchards need frequent irrigation and mulching.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14 | 23° | 8° |
| February | 16 | 28° | 11° |
| March | 11 | 34° | 17° |
| April | 12 | 40° | 24° |
| May | 41 | 42° | 28° |
| June | 153 | 40° | 29° |
| July | 317 | 34° | 27° |
| August | 241 | 33° | 26° |
| September | 176 | 32° | 24° |
| October | 42 | 31° | 20° |
| November | 1 | 27° | 14° |
| December | 4 | 23° | 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 Gorakhpur district (26.6678, 83.3642). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Gorakhpur Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Gorakhpur
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Sant Kabir Nagar - 34 km
- Deoria - 48 km
- Kushinagar - 55 km
- Maharajganj - 56 km
- Mau - 71 km
- Azamgarh - 79 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Uttar Pradesh
Government Schemes for Gorakhpur Farmers
Farmers in Gorakhpur 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 Gorakhpur's rice growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Gorakhpur district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.