Because this season falls in the peak summer, the sowing is entirely dependent on the availability of irrigation or residual soil moisture. Farmers do not wait for rain; they create the conditions for growth using groundwater, canals, or wells.

While the general rule is March to May, the specific months vary by geography:

To recap, They serve as a vital economic boost for farmers, providing a quick turnaround of cash crops and essential nutrients during the hottest months of the year.

This short agricultural season, known as the , occurs in the gap between the harvesting of Rabi (winter) crops and the sowing of Kharif (monsoon) crops, typically spanning from March to June . Key Characteristics of Zaid Crops

To answer the primary query directly:

Green fodder for livestock is often grown now to ensure animals stay fed when grass dries up.

Specific varieties like Moong dal (green gram) and Urad dal are frequently grown in this window. The Role of Climate

Zaid crops are most common in Northern and Northwestern India (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan) where the distinction between seasons is sharp. They need a and dry winds . However, heavy rain is the enemy of a Zaid crop; if the monsoon arrives too early, it can rot the ripening melons and cucumbers in the field.

In the vast and diverse agricultural landscape of the Indian subcontinent, the farming calendar is traditionally divided into three distinct seasons based on the monsoon cycles. While most are familiar with the Kharif season (monsoon crops like rice and maize) and the Rabi season (winter crops like wheat and mustard), there lies a crucial, albeit shorter, window of agricultural opportunity known as the .

Sowing crops in the blistering heat of May might seem counterintuitive, but the Zaid season serves specific economic and nutritional purposes: