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Across the western desert, farmers wait for the first monsoon showers, then rush to sow bajra, moth and guar in the sandy soil — crops that can survive on very little water. If the rains fail, the crop fails, and families turn to their livestock to get through the year. In the east and south-east, where rain is more reliable and canals and wells supply water, fields of wheat and bright yellow mustard stretch across the plains in winter. Rajasthan's agriculture is a story of adaptation to scarcity, and it produces some of India's most important dryland crops.
The importance of agriculture
- Agriculture and livestock remain the main source of livelihood for a large share of Rajasthan's people, especially in rural areas.
- A large part of the cultivated area is rain-fed — dependent on the monsoon.
- Livestock is closely linked with farming (see our post on livestock).
Kharif crops (sown June–July, harvested September–October)
| Crop | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bajra (pearl millet) | Across the west and north — Barmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Jaipur, Sikar, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Alwar | Rajasthan is India's largest producer; very drought-tolerant |
| Jowar (sorghum) | Ajmer, Nagaur, Pali, Bhilwara | Food and fodder |
| Maize | South — Udaipur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Banswara, Dungarpur | Staple food in the tribal south |
| Moth (moth bean) | Western desert | Rajasthan is the largest producer; extremely drought-tolerant |
| Moong (green gram) | Nagaur, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Jaipur | Important pulse |
| Guar (cluster bean) | Western and northern desert — Bikaner, Jodhpur, Barmer, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh | Rajasthan produces the large majority of India's guar; guar gum is exported for food and the oil and gas industry |
| Groundnut | Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur | A leading producer state |
| Cotton | Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh (canal areas) | Irrigated |
| Soybean | Hadoti — Kota, Baran, Jhalawar | On black soil |
| Rice | Limited — Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar, Bundi, Kota, Banswara | Irrigated |
Rabi crops (sown October–November, harvested March–April)
| Crop | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat | Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Jaipur, Alwar, Kota, Bundi | The main rabi cereal; mostly irrigated |
| Barley | Jaipur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu | Tolerates salinity |
| Mustard (rapeseed-mustard) | Alwar, Bharatpur, Sri Ganganagar, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur | Rajasthan is India's largest producer |
| Gram (chickpea) | Churu, Bikaner, Hanumangarh, Jaipur | A leading producer state |
| Cumin (jeera) | Jalore, Barmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur | Among the top producers |
| Coriander (dhaniya) | Kota, Baran, Jhalawar (Hadoti) | A leading producer |
| Isabgol (psyllium) | Jalore, Barmer, Nagaur | Among the top producers |
| Fenugreek (methi) | Nagaur (Nagauri methi), Sikar | Spice crop |
| Garlic | Hadoti | Spice and vegetable |
Horticulture
- Fruits: kinnow (Sri Ganganagar), pomegranate (Barmer, Jalore), guava (Sawai Madhopur), orange (Jhalawar — "Nagpur of Rajasthan"), date palm (western desert), ber, amla.
- Vegetables: onion, tomato, chilli (Mathania chilli of Jodhpur).
- Flowers: roses at Pushkar and Haldighati (for gulkand and rose water).
Agro-climatic zones
Rajasthan is divided into ten agro-climatic zones, broadly grouped as arid western plains, irrigated north-western plains, transitional plains, semi-arid eastern plains, flood-prone eastern plains, sub-humid southern plains, humid southern plains and the humid south-eastern plains (Hadoti). Research stations of the agricultural universities work in each zone.
Sources of irrigation
| Source | Share / notes |
|---|---|
| Wells and tube wells | The largest source; groundwater heavily used and over-exploited in many blocks |
| Canals | Indira Gandhi Canal, Gang Canal, Bhakra canals (north); Chambal canals (Hadoti); Mahi (south) |
| Tanks | Mainly in the south and south-east |
Micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler) is promoted to save water.
Challenges
- Dependence on rain — frequent crop failures.
- Groundwater depletion — especially in the east and centre.
- Small and fragmented holdings in the east and south; large but poor-quality holdings in the west.
- Soil problems — salinity, erosion, waterlogging.
- Marketing — price fluctuations, especially for guar and spices.
- Climate change — heat stress on wheat and mustard.
See our Economy post on agriculture for policy issues and reforms.
Practice
Prelims-style:
- Name two crops in which Rajasthan is India's largest producer.
- Which region grows soybean and coriander on black soil?
- What is guar gum used for?
- Which district is known for kinnow?
- What is the largest source of irrigation in Rajasthan?
Mains-style (50 words): Why is bajra suited to western Rajasthan?
Mains-style (100 words): Discuss the geographical factors that influence the cropping pattern of Rajasthan.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Rajasthan Public Service Commission website .
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