Agriculture in Pithoragarh District: Western Himalayan Region
Uttarakhand falls mainly in the Western Himalayan Region agro-climatic zone (temperate to alpine, 165-2000mm of rain a year across the zone), where hilly terraced farming with horticulture and temperate fruits is typical. Soils in this zone are mostly brown hill, podzolic and submontane soils. Crops commonly grown across the zone include Apple, stone fruits, Maize (Corn), Wheat, Barley, saffron, Potato, Ginger.
These are zone-level facts (ICAR / Planning Commission agro-climatic classification), not a crop census of Pithoragarh itself. Pithoragarh's own month-by-month rainfall and temperatures are in the climate section.
Crop Calendar for the Western Himalayan Region
| Crop | Season & Window | All-India rate (16 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🍎 Apple | Aug-Nov | ₹8,000/qtl |
| stone fruits | Local seasonal crop | - |
| 🌽 Maize (Corn) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Sep-Oct) | ₹2,350/qtl |
| 🌾 Wheat | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Mar-Apr) | ₹2,642/qtl |
| 🌾 Barley | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Mar-Apr) | ₹2,600/qtl |
| saffron | Local seasonal crop | - |
| 🥔 Potato | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Jan-Mar) | ₹1,100/qtl |
| 🫚 Ginger | Plant: Mar-May, Harvest: Dec-Feb | ₹6,000/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.
What Pithoragarh Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Pithoragarh's largest crops by area were Rice (Paddy), Wheat, Ragi (Finger Millet). Rice (Paddy) alone covered 14,198 ha (32% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 1,479 kg/ha, 45% below the Uttarakhand average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Barley area -37%, Maize (Corn) area -24%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Uttarakhand avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (Paddy) | 14,198 | 20,997 | 1,479 | 2,710 | -21% |
| Wheat | 13,948 | 23,660 | 1,696 | 3,310 | -17% |
| Ragi (Finger Millet) | 5,335 | 8,118 | 1,522 | 1,583 | -21% |
| Masur (Lentil) | 3,258 | 3,034 | 931 | 807 | -21% |
| Maize (Corn) | 2,457 | 4,415 | 1,797 | 2,743 | -24% |
| Barley | 2,363 | 3,714 | 1,572 | 1,472 | -37% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 868 | 543 | 626 | 1,055 | -1% |
| Urad (Black Gram) | 702 | 775 | 1,104 | 918 | -13% |
| Soybean | 473 | 576 | 1,218 | 1,454 | -22% |
| Gram (Chana) | 73 | 53 | 723 | 845 | -38% |
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. Uttarakhand average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Pithoragarh
Pithoragarh receives about 683 mm of rain in an average year, 65% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (172 mm). Days are hottest in June (average high 18°C) and nights coolest in January (average low -9°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in July, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- Winter nights average about -9°C, cool enough for rabi crops such as wheat, mustard, gram and potato.
- Satellite records show about 161 frost days a year. Protect potato, mustard at flowering and nursery vegetables, for example with a light irrigation before a cold night.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24 | 3° | -9° |
| February | 47 | 5° | -8° |
| March | 31 | 9° | -4° |
| April | 47 | 13° | 0° |
| May | 59 | 16° | 4° |
| June | 74 | 18° | 7° |
| July | 172 | 18° | 10° |
| August | 120 | 17° | 9° |
| September | 78 | 15° | 6° |
| October | 14 | 12° | 1° |
| November | 6 | 9° | -3° |
| December | 11 | 6° | -7° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Pithoragarh district (30.1265, 80.4817). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Pithoragarh Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Pithoragarh
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Bageshwar - 55 km
- Chamoli - 93 km
- Champawat - 106 km
- Almora - 112 km
- Nainital - 138 km
- Rudraprayag - 145 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Uttarakhand
Government Schemes for Pithoragarh Farmers
Farmers in Pithoragarh 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 Pithoragarh's apple growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Pithoragarh district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.