Match cropping season with the crops:

Column – A	Column – B
A. Kharif	1. Cotton
B. Rabi	2. Mustard
C. Zaid	3. Fodder

Correct option is D

Correct Answer: Option (D) (A)-(1), (B)-(2), (C)-(3)
Explanation:
→ Kharif crops (A) are typically sown with the beginning of the monsoon season, usually between June and July, and harvested before the winter. Cotton is one of the prominent crops grown during this season, as it thrives in the warm and wet conditions. Therefore, Kharif is correctly matched with Cotton.
→ Rabi crops (B) are sown in the winter (around October-November) and harvested before the onset of the summer season. Mustard is a typical Rabi crop that is sown during winter and harvested in the spring. Therefore, Rabi is correctly matched with Mustard.
→ Zaid crops (C) are grown during the short period between the Rabi and Kharif seasons, mainly in the summer months (March to June). These are often fodder crops, which are suitable for the warm temperatures of summer. Therefore, Zaid is correctly matched with Fodder.
Information Booster:
→ Kharif crops include crops like rice, maize, cotton, sorghum, and groundnut. These crops require a long growing season and are heavily dependent on rainfall.
→ Rabi crops include wheat, mustard, barley, peas, and gram. These crops grow in cooler temperatures and are harvested before the onset of hot summer weather.
→ Zaid crops typically include watermelon, cucumber, pumpkin, and fodder crops like berseem and lucerne, which are grown during the intermediate season.
→ The cropping seasons in India—Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid—help farmers manage their resources efficiently and adapt to varying climatic conditions throughout the year.