FAQ

What are the paddy Cultivation season in Kerala?

Kerala has three primary rice cultivation seasons:
1. Virippu Season (Autumn/First Crop): This season runs from April-May to September-October and marks the start of the rice-growing cycle.

2.  Mundakan Season (Winter/Second Crop): Beginning in September-October and ending in December-January, this season accounts for the largest area under cultivation and the highest production among the three seasons.

3.  Puncha Season (Summer/Third Crop): This season starts in December-January and concludes by March-April, completing the agricultural cycle.

The Kerala Agriculture Department promotes paddy cultivation through various initiatives, including area expansion programmes, input assistance for sustainable farming and group farming support. Specific efforts, such as the Operation Double Kole initiative, encourage double cropping in the Kole wetlands. For 2023-24, a budget of ₹9,510 lakhs has been allocated for rice development, with ₹200 lakhs dedicated to Operation Double Kole. The programme also emphasizes inclusivity, ensuring that at least 33% of the beneficiaries are women. These measures aim to enhance productivity across the seven agro-ecological units where rice is grown in Kerala.