Agriculture in Varanasi District: Vegetable and floriculture belt
Varanasi is one of Uttar Pradesh's notable agricultural districts, best known for vegetable and floriculture belt. Its farmland is fed by Ganges, Varuna and sits on predominantly alluvial soil, a combination that favours rice, wheat, vegetables. Unlike a generic state average, Varanasi'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 Varanasi
The district's main crops are Rice (Paddy), Wheat, vegetables, Marigold (Genda Phool). rice leads the local economy, so Varanasi 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 Varanasi (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Varanasi'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 |
| vegetables | Local seasonal crop | - |
| 🌼 Marigold (Genda Phool) | Year-round (peak: Oct-Feb for festivals) | ₹13,500/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Varanasi
With alluvial soil and water from the Ganges, Varuna, the priority for Varanasi 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 Varanasi
Since rice is central to Varanasi, time your sale using the live rice rate. Sell at Varanasi Mandi Parishad and compare with neighbouring mandis. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Varanasi.
Mandi Prices in Varanasi
These are the crops actually trading in Varanasi's markets (Varanasi APMC), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | ₹4,400 | ₹9,186 | ₹6,783 |
| Wood | ₹300 | ₹3,223 | ₹1,762 |
| Green Gram(Moong)(Whole) | ₹8,200 | ₹9,400 | ₹9,225 |
| Tomato | ₹800 | ₹800 | ₹800 |
| Gram Raw(Chholia) | ₹6,600 | ₹7,900 | ₹7,056 |
| Soanf | ₹8,500 | ₹8,500 | ₹8,500 |
| Tobacco | ₹4,300 | ₹8,000 | ₹5,195 |
| Garlic | ₹4,000 | ₹4,000 | ₹4,000 |
| Fish | ₹4,000 | ₹4,000 | ₹4,000 |
| Chili Red | ₹9,000 | ₹9,000 | ₹9,000 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, as of 1 June 2026.
What Varanasi Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Varanasi's largest crops by area were Rice (Paddy), Wheat, Jowar (Sorghum). Rice (Paddy) alone covered 76,633 ha (47% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 3,069 kg/ha, 9% above the Uttar Pradesh average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Jowar (Sorghum) area +98%, Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) area -68%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Uttar Pradesh avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (Paddy) | 76,633 | 2,35,211 | 3,069 | 2,816 | +61% |
| Wheat | 62,623 | 2,23,013 | 3,561 | 3,709 | -8% |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 4,832 | - | 0 | 1,622 | +98% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 4,813 | 7,079 | 1,471 | 1,484 | +561% |
| Bajra (Pearl Millet) | 4,382 | 3,987 | 910 | 2,034 | -21% |
| Sugarcane | 2,373 | 1,68,974 | 71,199 | 80,937 | -41% |
| Maize (Corn) | 1,692 | 4,505 | 2,662 | 2,879 | -49% |
| Sesame (Til) | 1,681 | 487 | 290 | 291 | +329% |
| Gram (Chana) | 1,352 | 1,877 | 1,388 | 1,354 | -34% |
| Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) | 1,248 | 1,718 | 1,376 | 1,238 | -68% |
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 Varanasi
Varanasi receives about 815 mm of rain in an average year, 87% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (249 mm). Days are hottest in May (average high 43°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.
- 87% 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 35°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 | 12 | 24° | 8° |
| February | 14 | 29° | 12° |
| March | 10 | 35° | 18° |
| April | 11 | 41° | 24° |
| May | 23 | 43° | 29° |
| June | 110 | 41° | 30° |
| July | 249 | 35° | 27° |
| August | 200 | 33° | 26° |
| September | 146 | 32° | 25° |
| October | 33 | 32° | 20° |
| November | 2 | 28° | 14° |
| December | 5 | 24° | 10° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Varanasi district (25.3719, 82.9414). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Varanasi Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Varanasi
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 Varanasi Farmers
Farmers in Varanasi 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 Varanasi's rice growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Varanasi district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.