Agriculture in Cooch Behar District: Jute and tobacco of north Bengal
Cooch Behar is one of West Bengal's notable agricultural districts, best known for jute and tobacco of north Bengal. Its farmland is fed by Teesta, Torsa and sits on predominantly alluvial soil, a combination that favours rice, jute, tobacco. Unlike a generic state average, Cooch Behar'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 Cooch Behar
The district's main crops are Rice (Paddy), Jute, Tobacco, Potato. rice leads the local economy, so Cooch Behar 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 Cooch Behar (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Cooch Behar'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 (17 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🍚 Rice (Paddy) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹3,900/qtl |
| 🌿 Jute | Kharif (Sow: Mar-Apr, Harvest: Jul-Sep) | ₹11,200/qtl |
| 🍂 Tobacco | Rabi (Sow: Sep-Oct, Transplant: Nov-Dec, Harvest: Feb-Apr) | ₹2,200/qtl |
| 🥔 Potato | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Jan-Mar) | ₹1,100/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Cooch Behar
With alluvial soil and water from the Teesta, Torsa, the priority for Cooch Behar 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 Cooch Behar
Since rice is central to Cooch Behar, time your sale using the live rice rate. Compare rates at the nearest APMC mandi with the West Bengal price page. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Cooch Behar.
What Cooch Behar Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Cooch Behar's largest crops by area were Rice (Paddy), Maize (Corn), Mustard (Rapeseed). Rice (Paddy) alone covered 2,83,547 ha (66% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 2,937 kg/ha, 3% above the West Bengal average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Masur (Lentil) area +50%, Jute area -42%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | West Bengal avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (Paddy) | 2,83,547 | 8,32,748 | 2,937 | 2,865 | +3% |
| Maize (Corn) | 49,111 | 3,09,481 | 6,302 | 6,999 | +19% |
| Mustard (Rapeseed) | 35,554 | 32,893 | 925 | 1,250 | +9% |
| Jute | 35,015 | 4,27,167 | 2,196 | 16,378 | -42% |
| Tobacco | 12,269 | 25,774 | 2,101 | 2,100 | -19% |
| Masur (Lentil) | 4,267 | 4,302 | 1,008 | 915 | +50% |
| Wheat | 4,227 | 13,077 | 3,094 | 3,130 | +2% |
| Urad (Black Gram) | 2,193 | 844 | 385 | 742 | +23% |
| Linseed (Alsi) | 411 | 198 | 483 | 480 | +8% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 231 | 179 | 772 | 875 | -76% |
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. West Bengal average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Cooch Behar
Cooch Behar receives about 2066 mm of rain in an average year, 74% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (475 mm). Days are hottest in April (average high 34°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 10°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in May, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- At about 2066 mm a year, water is plentiful in season; field drainage matters as much as irrigation, and paddy and plantation crops suit the climate.
- Winter nights average about 10°C, cool enough for rabi crops such as wheat, mustard, gram and potato.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6 | 22° | 10° |
| February | 12 | 27° | 13° |
| March | 35 | 32° | 17° |
| April | 117 | 34° | 21° |
| May | 229 | 34° | 24° |
| June | 350 | 32° | 25° |
| July | 475 | 31° | 25° |
| August | 365 | 31° | 25° |
| September | 332 | 30° | 24° |
| October | 137 | 29° | 21° |
| November | 6 | 26° | 16° |
| December | 2 | 23° | 12° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Cooch Behar district (26.2559, 89.4201). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Cooch Behar Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Cooch Behar
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Alipurduar - 42 km
- Dhubri, Assam - 72 km
- Kokrajhar, Assam - 75 km
- Jalpaiguri - 80 km
- Kalimpong - 115 km
- Goalpara, Assam - 120 km
Land records and Farmer ID in West Bengal
Government Schemes for Cooch Behar Farmers
Farmers in Cooch Behar 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 Cooch Behar's rice growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Cooch Behar district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.