What is Zaid Season in India? Importance, Crop Grown and Contributing Factors

Table of Content

• Introduction
• What is Zaid Cropping Season
• Importance of Zaid Season in India
• Zaid Crops in India
• Factors Contributing to Zaid Season in India

Introduction

India has varied climatic conditions. It has several types of crop seasons, and the climate is unique for certain types of crops. Zaid season is the shortest of the three cropping seasons: Kharif, Rabi, and Kharif. The Rabi season is popularly known as the winter season, while the Kharif season is commonly known as the monsoon season.

This blog explains the Zaid cropping season in India, along with its importance, benefits, types of Zaid crops, and more.

What is Zaid Cropping Season?

Zaid is derived from the Arabic word ‘Zayd”, which means growth. Zaid cropping season, also known as the summer season, occurs during the summer months in the country. It is the time period between the two popular seasons in India: Rabi season and Kharif season. The harvesting of Zaid crops is done between the months of March and June. It is the hottest and driest time of the year in the country. The crops grown in this season require less water and can tolerate high temperatures.

Zaid season is ideal for growing a variety of crops, including fruits, pulses, vegetables and oilseeds. The fertile and well-drained soil in the country makes it ideal for producing Zaid crops. Advancements in agricultural technologies, such as high-yield varieties of seeds and fertilisers, enhance crop production during the Zaid season months.

Importance of Zaid Season in India

Zaid season is the third important crop season in India. Its importance can be concluded with the following points:

• Zaid crops are short-duration crops that can be harvested within 60 to 90 days of planting. Thus, they allow the cultivation of multiple crops in a year, which increases farmers’ income.
• These crops can tolerate high temperatures and hot and dry conditions of summer.
• These crops need less water than Kharif or Rabi crops. Thus, they can be cultivated in areas with limited water availability.
• Zaid crops can provide high yields with proper management despite being short-duration crops.
• They provide an extra source of income for farmers in the lean patch between rabi and kharif season.
• These crops are less prone to pests and diseases as the hot climate makes it difficult for the pests and diseases to thrive.
• Some zaid crops like muskmelon and watermelon are in high demand in the market during summer, which can help farmers earn good profits.
• Zaid crop cultivation helps in enhancing soil health. For example, the cultivation of leguminous pulses and oilseeds can act as soil conditioners.
• The cultivation of these crops helps diversify farming by reducing dependency on a single crop. It mitigates the risk of crop failure because of factors such as pests, disease infestation, and climate change.
• Cultivating these crops helps compensate for the losses caused due to heavy rainfall during Rabi and Kharif crops.
• Popular Zaid crops, such as pumpkin, cucumber, watermelon, and bitter ground, are a rich source of vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritional addition to the diet.

Zaid Crops in India

The popular Zaid crops grown in the summer season are:

• Watermelon: It is the most popular crop and a refreshing fruit widely grown and consumed during summer. India is one of the top producers of watermelon in the world. The major watermelon-growing states are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Muskmelon: It is a sweet fruit widely consumed during summer along with watermelon. India is the second-largest producer of muskmelon in the world. The majority of muskmelon is grown in states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
• Cucumber: It is a refreshing vegetable widely used in salads and other dishes. India is the largest producer of cucumber worldwide. The popular cucumber-growing states are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
• Bitter Ground: It is a healthy vegetable widely used in Indian dishes. India is the highest producer of bitter ground in the world. The majority of bitter ground is grown in the states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
• Pumpkin: This versatile vegetable is widely used in India for making soups, curries, and other dishes. India is the world’s largest producer of pumpkin.

Factors Contributing to Zaid Season in India

The success of the Zaid season in India depends on many factors. These factors determine the crop type grown in this season and the total yield.

• Irrigation: Irrigation availability is the most important factor during the Zaid season. It helps maintain the soil moisture required for better growth of the crops.
• Soil Quality: The quality of soil must be ideal for the growth of plants. Soil is better aeration, and drainage capacity is important for better crop growth. Indian soils are well-drained and fertile, which makes them ideal for the growth of Zaid crops.
• Seeds Availability: A high-quality seed determines the performance of crops in the Zaid season. Farmers should have access to high-quality seeds for better yield.
• Weather Conditions: Dry weather and temperate conditions are favourable for crop growth in this season. Unseasonal rainfall during summer can cause damage to the Zaid crops.
• Farming Techniques: The various techniques used in agriculture can impact crop performance during the Zaid season. Farmers need to adopt modern farming techniques such as intercropping, crop rotation, and using organic fertilisers to enhance crop yield.