Agro-Climatic Zones and Cropping Patterns

Rajasthan is divided into 10 agro-climatic zones by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Rajasthan government for planning and extension purposes. These zones are defined by rainfall, temperature, soil type, and altitude, and each zone has a characteristic cropping calendar.

3.1 Zone-Wise Overview

Zone Code	Zone Name	Key Districts	Rainfall (mm)	Key Kharif Crops	Key Rabi Crops
I-A	Arid Western Plain	Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore	200–300	Bajra, Moth, Sesamum, Guar	Wheat, Mustard, Cumin
I-B	Irrigated North-Western Plain	Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh	200–300 + irrigation	Cotton, Guar, Paddy, Bajra	Wheat, Mustard, Gram
I-C	Hyper-Arid Western Plain	Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Churu	< 200	Bajra, Moth, Guar	Wheat, Mustard, Gram
II-A	Transitional Inland Plain	Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, Churu	300–500	Bajra, Guar, Moong, Groundnut	Mustard, Gram, Wheat
III-A	Semi-Arid Eastern Plain	Jaipur, Ajmer, Tonk, Bhilwara	450–650	Bajra, Jowar, Groundnut, Cotton	Mustard, Wheat, Gram
III-B	Flood Prone Eastern Plain	Bharatpur, Dholpur, Sawai Madhopur, Alwar	600–800	Paddy, Bajra, Jowar	Wheat, Mustard, Gram
IV-A	Sub-Humid Southern Plains	Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara	550–750	Maize, Jowar, Pulses	Wheat, Barley, Mustard
IV-B	Humid SE Plains	Kota, Baran, Bundi, Jhalawar	700–1000	Jowar, Soybean, Maize	Wheat, Mustard, Gram
V	Tribal Sub-Humid Plains	Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh	700–950	Maize, Jowar, Rice, Pulses	Wheat, Barley
VI	Humid SE Plain Hills	Sirohi, parts of Pali	500–800	Maize, Jowar, Moong	Wheat, Barley, Mustard

Source: Rajasthan Economic Review 2025-26, Chapter 4; ICAR Agro-Climatic Zone Classification

3.2 Regional Crop Specialisation Summary

Three broad agricultural regions emerge from this zonal structure:

Western Arid Region (Zones I-A, I-B, I-C): Covers Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu. Dominant crops: bajra (India's most drought-resistant cereal, ideally suited), guar (dry-land legume, globally significant), moth bean (almost exclusive to this zone), cumin (desert crop), and mustard in rabi. Zone I-B (Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh) is transformed by IGNP and Gang Canal irrigation to produce wheat, cotton, and even paddy despite low rainfall.

Eastern Semi-Arid and Sub-Humid Region (Zones II-A, III-A, III-B): Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, Jaipur, Ajmer, Bharatpur. This zone has the highest agricultural diversity: bajra, groundnut, jowar in Kharif; wheat, mustard, gram in Rabi. Bharatpur district (Zone III-B) uses Chambal Canal water for paddy cultivation.

Southern Tribal and Humid Region (Zones IV-A, IV-B, V): Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Kota, Baran, Bundi, Jhalawar, Banswara, Dungarpur. This is Rajasthan's most rainfall-assured zone. Maize is the dominant Kharif crop in the tribal south (Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur — the "Maize Triangle" of Rajasthan). Soybean in Kota-Baran-Jhalawar belt. Wheat and barley dominate Rabi in this zone.

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