Top Crops to Grow in Zaid Season with Tractor-Powered Support Soil

In India, agriculture follows three major cropping seasons—Rabi, Kharif, and Zaid. While Rabi and Kharif are well-known, the Zaid season, which falls between March and June, is often underutilized. Yet, it offers farmers a valuable window to grow fast-maturing and high-value crops using residual soil moisture and irrigation.

With the right planning and tractor-powered equipment, Zaid season can become a profitable opportunity for small and large farmers alike.

What Is Zaid season?

• Timing: March to June (between Rabi harvest and Kharif sowing)
• Climate: Hot, dry weather with reliance on irrigation (wells, borewells, drip)
• Ideal for: Short-duration, heat-tolerant crops with market demand

Top crops to grow in Zaid season

Here's a list of common Zaid crops:

1. Fruits

• Watermelon
• Muskmelon
• Cucumber
• Bitter gourd
• Pumpkin
• Strawberry

2. Vegetables

• Brinjal (Eggplant)
• Okra (Ladyfinger)
• Tomato
• Bottle gourd
• Squash
• Ridge gourd

3. Pulses (Legumes)

• Green Gram (Moong)
• Black Gram (Urad)
• Pigeon Pea (Arhar/Tur)
• Lentils (Masur)

4. Cereals & fodder crops

• Maize (Summer Maize)
• Barley (Late crop)
• Fodder crops (Berseem, Sorghum, Oats)
• Guar (Cluster beans)
• Sugarcane

5. Oilseeds

• Sunflower
• Sesamum (Til)
• Groundnut (Summer crop)

Why Zaid Farming Matters

Zaid crops like watermelon, cucumber, moong, cowpea, sunflower, and fodder provide:

• Quick returns
• Improved soil health
• Additional income between main seasons

Tips for successful Zaid farming

1. Choose short-duration, heat-tolerant varieties
2. Plan irrigation well—Zaid crops depend on assured water supply
3. Use mulch or tractor-mounted sprayers to conserve moisture
4. Rotate crops to avoid pest build-up and maintain soil health
5. Use mechanized tools to reduce labor needs in peak summer

But to succeed, farmers need:

• Timely sowing
• Efficient land preparation
• Reliable irrigation and harvesting

How Mahindra powers every stage of zaid farming

1. Land Preparation

Implements: Mahindra Rotary Tiller, Disc Plough, Cultivator
With dry soils and crop residues left from Rabi, Mahindra’s land preparation tools:

• Break hard soil crusts
• Mix residues into the soil
• Prepare a fine seedbed for crops like moong and cucurbits

Mahindra Tip: Pair the Mahindra JIVO 225 DI or Yuvo 275 DI with a rotary tiller for small Zaid plots.

2. Sowing and fertilizing

Implements: Mahindra Seed-Cum-Fertilizer Drill, Multi-Crop Planter
Zaid crops require quick and accurate sowing, especially under rising temperatures. Mahindra’s sowing implements:

• Ensure proper seed depth and spacing
• Combine fertilizer placement to save time and boost early growth
• Work efficiently even in lighter or sandy soils common in summer

3. Irrigation and moisture management

Implements: Tractor-mounted water tankers, ridgers
With rainfall absent during Zaid, timely irrigation is crucial. Mahindra solutions help by:

• Transporting water easily to fields
• Creating furrows and ridges for better water retention in crops like watermelon or sunflower

4. Interculture and weed control

Implements: Mahindra Interrow Cultivator, Power Weeder
Heat and water stress make weed competition more dangerous in Zaid. Mahindra tools:

• Remove weeds between rows
• Loosen topsoil for better aeration and moisture retention
• Reduce labor dependency during peak summer

5. Harvesting and transport

Implements: Tractor trailers, reapers (for pulses and fodder)
Zaid crops mature fast—timely harvest ensures quality and profit. Mahindra tractors:

• Haul produce quickly to market
• Handle rough, dry summer fields with ease
• Support mechanized harvesting of crops like moong or fodde

Tractor implements that boost Zaid crops

Conclusion:

Zaid season is a golden opportunity for Indian farmers to earn extra income between Rabi and Kharif. Mahindra tractors and implements make it easier than ever. From land prep to harvest, Mahindra supports farmers every step of the way with machines that are durable, efficient, and designed for Indian conditions.

So, whether you're growing pulses, vegetables, melons, or fodder—investing in the right Mahindra tractors and implements ensures better yields, reduced effort, and higher profitability.

Want help choosing the best Mahindra tractor or implement for your Zaid crops?

Contact your nearest Mahindra dealer.