Bajra and Wheat Agriculture in the Saraswati Basin of Patan

Patan district's agriculture is shaped by its position in the Saraswati river basin, where loamy black-cotton and sandy loam soils support both kharif (bajra, groundnut) and rabi (wheat, mustard, cumin) cropping systems. Bajra (pearl millet) is the primary kharif dryland crop, sown in June with monsoon onset and harvested in October. Gujarat's cold dry winters make it suitable for rabi wheat cultivation in canal-irrigated areas of Patan. Cumin (jeera) cultivation is important in sandy soils of Patan and neighbouring Banaskantha districts, supplying the national cumin market. The Patan area historically grew cotton and indigo which supplied the weaving industry, particularly Patola silk production. Traditional seed varieties of bajra preserved by farming families show higher drought tolerance than hybrid varieties. Krishi Vigyan Kendras in Patan are promoting zero-budget natural farming (ZBNF) techniques aligned with traditional practices.