Agriculture in Kolkata District: Lower Gangetic Plains
West Bengal falls mainly in the Lower Gangetic Plains agro-climatic zone (hot humid subtropical, 1300-1600mm of rain a year across the zone), where rice-jute belt of the Ganga delta with intensive cropping is typical. Soils in this zone are mostly alluvial, deltaic and red-laterite soil. Crops commonly grown across the zone include Rice (Paddy), Jute, Potato, oilseeds, vegetables, pulses.
These are zone-level facts (ICAR / Planning Commission agro-climatic classification), not a crop census of Kolkata itself. What actually trades in Kolkata's own mandis is listed below. Kolkata's own month-by-month rainfall and temperatures are in the climate section.
Crop Calendar for the Lower Gangetic Plains
| Crop | Season & Window | All-India rate (3 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🍚 Rice (Paddy) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹3,680/qtl |
| 🌿 Jute | Kharif (Sow: Mar-Apr, Harvest: Jul-Sep) | ₹13,600/qtl |
| 🥔 Potato | Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Jan-Mar) | ₹1,000/qtl |
| oilseeds | Local seasonal crop | - |
| vegetables | Local seasonal crop | - |
| pulses | Local seasonal crop | - |
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.
Mandi Prices in Kolkata
These are the crops actually trading in Kolkata's markets (Sealdah Koley Market APMC, Mechua APMC, Bara Bazar (Posta Bazar) APMC), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potato | ₹900 | ₹1,060 | ₹980 |
| Bhindi(Ladies Finger) | ₹1,200 | ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 |
| Bitter gourd | ₹3,500 | ₹4,000 | ₹4,000 |
| Cabbage | ₹2,200 | ₹3,000 | ₹2,500 |
| Pointed gourd(Parval) | ₹1,000 | ₹1,200 | ₹1,200 |
| Sweet Pumpkin | ₹1,700 | ₹2,200 | ₹2,000 |
| Apple | ₹16,000 | ₹17,700 | ₹17,000 |
| Ginger(Dry) | ₹9,000 | ₹12,000 | ₹10,500 |
| Carrot | ₹2,500 | ₹3,000 | ₹3,000 |
| Cauliflower | ₹2,300 | ₹2,700 | ₹2,500 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Kolkata, West Bengal, as of 1 June 2026.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Kolkata
Kolkata receives about 1567 mm of rain in an average year, 72% of it in June-September. The wettest month is July (333 mm). Days are hottest in April (average high 38°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 1567 mm a year, water is plentiful in season; field drainage matters as much as irrigation, and paddy and plantation crops suit the climate.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13 | 24° | 10° |
| February | 20 | 30° | 15° |
| March | 31 | 35° | 20° |
| April | 50 | 38° | 24° |
| May | 144 | 37° | 26° |
| June | 231 | 33° | 27° |
| July | 333 | 31° | 26° |
| August | 308 | 31° | 26° |
| September | 259 | 30° | 25° |
| October | 146 | 30° | 22° |
| November | 23 | 27° | 17° |
| December | 9 | 24° | 11° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Kolkata district (22.5354, 88.3633). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Kolkata Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Kolkata
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Howrah - 34 km
- North 24 Parganas - 35 km
- South 24 Parganas - 43 km
- Hooghly - 55 km
- Purba Medinipur - 75 km
- Paschim Medinipur - 100 km
Land records and Farmer ID in West Bengal
Government Schemes for Kolkata Farmers
Farmers in Kolkata 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 Kolkata's rice growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Kolkata district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.