Progressive farmers are adopting the "Paddy – Rabi Maize – Summer Fallow" or "Maize (Kharif) – Potato – Maize (Summer)" rotation. They don't ask "maize rabi or kharif" but rather "how to fit both".
In modern India, Rabi maize is superior for profit and quality, provided you have irrigation. maize rabi or kharif
| Cost/Return Head | Kharif Maize | Rabi Maize | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | ₹1,200 | ₹2,500 (cold-tolerant seed) | | Irrigation cost | ₹0 (rainfed) | ₹3,000 (diesel/electricity) | | Pesticides + herbicide | ₹3,000 | ₹800 | | Fertilizer | ₹3,500 | ₹4,000 | | Harvesting + threshing | ₹2,000 | ₹2,500 | | Total cost | ₹9,700 | ₹12,800 | | Average yield (q/acre) | 18 quintals | 32 quintals | | MSP or market price (₹/q) | ₹1,850 | ₹2,250 (Rabi premium) | | Gross income | ₹33,300 | ₹72,000 | | Net profit | ₹23,600 | ₹59,200 | Progressive farmers are adopting the "Paddy – Rabi
June to July (with the onset of the monsoon). Harvesting Window: September to October. | Cost/Return Head | Kharif Maize | Rabi
Unlike the Kharif crop, Rabi maize is entirely dependent on assured irrigation. This gives farmers better control over water management, reducing the risk of the crop drowning.