Home

Cooch Behar district is located in the Sub-Himalayan plains and belonging to the Tarai-Agro climatic zone of West Bengal. Out of 3345 sq. km geographical area of the district, 2353 sq km (70.3% of geographical area) is under cultivation. The district experiences a typical sub-tropical prehumid climate with high annual rainfall (higher than 3000 mm), high relative humidity (avg. max. & min. of 95 & 65%, respectively) and moderate temp. (avg. max. & min. of 38 and 5.5 0C, respectively). High ground water table vis-à-vis high residual soil moisture and the prolonged winter (extending from Nov to March) are found to be favourable factors contributing to successful raising of a good number of Rabi crops even under late sown condition during winter months with or without irrigation. Despite the district is favourably exposed to rainfall the occasional short dry spell in salient growth stages (PI, Flowering, etc.) significantly affects the yields of rainfed crops in Kharif season, while occurance of pre-monsoon showers with high intensity causing heavy yield loss of Pre-Kharif crops is also recorded. About 28% of net sown area of the district has been brought under irrigation while vast ground water resource is yet untapped.