Cotton prices continue to rise.The Shankar 6 variety, widely grown in Gujarat, reached ₹60,500 per candy on Tuesday (April 21), about 8.5% higher than a month ago.According to the Indian Cotton Production and Consumption Committee, the country's production in the current cotton season (ending on September 30) is estimated to be around 291 lakh bales, which is about 0.42% less than the 2024-25 season. On the other hand, domestic consumption is likely to increase to 312 lakh bales, compared to 306 lakh bales last year.South India Mills Association President Durai Palanisamy said that in view of the shortage of cotton in the country, it is necessary to immediately review the import duty, so that the pressure on the textile industry can be reduced.According to Indian Cotton Federation Secretary Nishant Asher, global cotton futures prices are also seeing a rise. Prices for July delivery rose from 64.5 cents a pound to about 79.8 cents. Over the past three years the range has typically been between 64–70 cents.Global production is also expected to be 1.5–2.5 million bales lower than earlier estimates. Production may be affected due to less rainfall in major producing countries like America and Brazil, although the situation is not completely clear yet.Additionally, rising crude oil prices are making polyester costlier, shifting some demand in the textile industry towards cotton, further supporting prices.read more :- Delay in Cotton-Soybean Insurance Payments; Farmers Concerned
Doubt over cotton and soybean crop insurance: Farmers worried over delay in payment, demand clarity before new seasonDespite suffering huge losses to the cotton crop in the last Kharif season, farmers have not yet received the insurance amount. Due to this, thousands of farmers are raising the question that when will they get cotton crop insurance and how much compensation will they receive.The farmers who got crop insurance in Akola district have not yet got complete relief. Especially in the case of soybean insurance, compensation has been sanctioned only to farmers of two revenue divisions—Kurum and Lakhpuri, due to which the rest of the farmers are feeling deprived.1,31,415 farmers of the district had got soybean crop insured, but after getting limited benefits, now the farmers are eyeing cotton crop insurance. However, no clear announcement has been made yet regarding cotton insurance, due to which there is confusion.In the last Kharif season, 30,030 farmers of the district had insured cotton crops in about 28,101 hectare area. If seen at the taluka level, 3,372 farmers in Telhara, 7,558 in Akot, 2,479 in Balapur, 1,436 in Patur, 7,890 in Akola, 3,426 in Barshitakli (rainfall zone) and 3,869 in Murtijapur had got insurance.Last year, there was widespread damage to the cotton crop due to heavy rains and floods during the monsoon. In such a situation, farmers hope that they will get appropriate compensation in the form of insurance.Now that there is less than one and a half months left for the beginning of the new Kharif season, farmers are facing financial crisis due to delay in the insurance amount. If there was timely payment, farmers could prepare for seeds, fertilizers and other agricultural operations.Farmers demand that cotton crop insurance should be announced as soon as possible and fair compensation should be given to all eligible farmers. After limited profits in soybean insurance, concerns about cotton insurance have increased further. In such a situation, the administration is expected to take quick decisions and provide relief to the farmers.read more :- CCI's Cotton Sales Accelerate Amid Strong Demand; Prices Rise
Amidst strong demand, CCI sold more than half of the cotton in 2025-26, prices continuously increasedDespite rising prices, state-run Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has sold more than half of the cotton it purchased in the 2025-26 season due to strong demand from mills and traders.CCI procured 105 lakh bales (170 kg each) of cotton this season, up from 100.16 lakh bales last year. According to Chairman and Managing Director Lalit Kumar Gupta, more than 55 lakh bales of cotton had been sold till Monday. He said the steady offtake in the last two months reflects strong demand from mills and traders, even as global prices have risen.On Tuesday, CCI increased the selling price of cotton by ₹200 per candy (356 kg), taking the total increase this week to ₹800. Last week also the prices were increased by ₹1,500 per candy. Overall, prices have increased by more than ₹6,000 this season.Gupta said that from a low of around ₹55,000 per candy, the current prices have reached around ₹61,000 per candy. Despite this, he said CCI's prices are still the most competitive compared to the global market.International cotton prices have increased by more than 25 percent, while domestic prices have increased by 15-20 percent. Despite this, domestic rates are still 2-3 per cent lower than global prices, which are around ₹63,500-64,000 per candy.CCI's price revisions are in line with global market trends. International prices have registered an increase of about 30 percent since the beginning of March. Cotton futures on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) rose from about 62 cents a pound in early March to above 80 cents, hitting around 81 cents a pound for July delivery on Tuesday.Despite continuous price increases, CCI sales remain strong and its stock has come down to below 50 lakh bales. According to Gupta, demand from mills is still strong and yarn orders are booked for the next 3-4 months, hence mills will continue to procure as per their requirements.read more :- The rupee opened at 93.70 down 21 paise.
The rupee opened at 93.70 against the dollar, a decline of 21 paise.On Wednesday, the Indian rupee opened at 93.30 against the dollar—a decline of 21 paise—whereas it had closed at 93.49 on Tuesday.Read More :- Rupee fell 19 paise to close at 93.49 per dollar
The Indian rupee lower 19 paise to close at 93.49 per dollar on Tuesday, compared to its opening price of 93.30 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was up 753.03 points or 0.96 percent at 79,273.33, and the Nifty was up 211.75 points or 0.87 percent at 24,576.60. About 2407 shares advanced, 1702 shares declined, and 148 shares unchanged.read more :- Relief for Farmers: Green Signal for Sale of BT Cotton Seeds in Kharif 2026
Approval Granted for Sale of BT Cotton Seeds for Kharif 2026Sri Ganganagar. The State Government has formally granted approval for the sale of BT cotton hybrid seeds within the state for the Kharif 2026 season. Under this decision, 34 authorized companies will be permitted to supply seeds in accordance with prescribed terms and conditions.According to Agriculture Commissioner Naresh Kumar Goyal, a complete ban has been imposed on the sale of seeds susceptible to Whitefly and Cotton Leaf Curl Virus in the districts of Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, and Bikaner, in an effort to control the impact of these diseases.He further stated that companies are mandated to sell seeds strictly at prices fixed by the Central Government, and it will be mandatory to affix a QR code on every seed packet. With the convenience of farmers in mind, priority ranging from 15 to 20 percent will be accorded to the cooperative sector regarding seed supply.read more :- The rupee opened at 93.30 recording a decline of 18 paise.
The rupee opened at 93.30/USD down 18 paise.On Tuesday, the Indian rupee opened at 93.30 against the dollar a decline of 18 paise whereas it had closed at 93.12 on Monday.Read More :- Preparations for Cotton Sowing Underway in Alwar; Bumper Yield Expected
Preparations for cotton sowing intensified in Alwar, bumper yield expected due to scientific technologyAfter harvesting of Rabi crops in Alwar and Khairthal-Tijara, farmers have now intensified preparations for sowing cotton. According to agricultural experts, this time the main time for cotton sowing will be from the last week of April to the first week of May. The activities of sowing 'white gold' in the fields have started at a rapid pace.Farmers are doing deep plowing of the fields after harvesting mustard and wheat and paying special attention to maintaining moisture in the soil through paleva (irrigation). Agricultural experts say that the right level of moisture is very important for the germination and initial growth of cotton.This time farmers are giving priority to the use of local manure so that the quality of the soil is maintained and production capacity increases.Scientific suggestions for disease controlAgricultural scientists have advised special management to prevent root rot disease. In areas where this problem is prevalent, it is recommended to mix 6 kg zinc sulphate per bigha of soil before sowing.Apart from this, emphasis has been laid on the use of Trichoderma for biological control.It is beneficial to add 2.5 kg Trichoderma hargenium to the soil along with rotten cow dung manure.Seed treatment required at the rate of 10 grams Trichoderma per kilogram of seeds.Production will increase with improved varietiesAgricultural experts have advised farmers to adopt improved and certified varieties, which include RG-8, RG-18, HD. 123 more secrets are included. These varieties are more tolerant towards pests and are capable of giving better production. Emphasis on crop residue managementInstead of burning stubble, farmers have been advised to mix crop residues with the soil using rotavators or cultivators. This increases organic carbon in the soil and improves water holding capacity.Overall, with scientific technology and better agricultural management, good cotton production is expected in Alwar region this time.read more :- The rupee fell 30 paise to close at 93.12 against the US dollar.
On Monday, the Indian rupee weakened by 30 paise to close at 93.12 against the US dollar after opening at 92.82 in early trade.At close, the Sensex was up 26.76 points or 0.03 percent at 78,520.30, and the Nifty was up 11.30 points or 0.05 percent at 24,364.85. About 1733 shares advanced, 2471 shares declined, and 175 shares unchanged.read more :- CCI increases cotton prices, sales cross 2.93 lakh bales
CCI Hikes Cotton Prices by ₹900- ₹1,500 per Candy; Weekly Auction Sales Cross 2.93 Lakh BalesThe Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) raised its cotton prices by ₹900- ₹1,500 per candy during previous week from April 13 to April 17, 2026, the auctions witnessed participation from mills and cotton traders, resulting in robust weekly sales of about 2,93,500 bales from the 2025–26 season.Day-wise Auction HighlightsApril 13 (Monday):The week began on a strong note, recording the highest single-day sale of 1,03,500 bales. Traders dominated purchases with 75,300 bales, while mills bought 28,200 bales.April 15 (Wednesday):Sales moderated to 60,100 bales. Mills purchased 23,000 bales, while traders accounted for 37,100 bales.April 16 (Thursday):Auction activity picked up again, with 79,200 bales sold. Mills purchased 26,800 bales, and traders bought 52,400 bales.April 17 (Friday):The week concluded with sales of 50,700 bales. Mills purchased 26,400 bales, while traders bought 24,300 bales.Cumulative Sales Update:2025–26 Season: 53,66,300 bales2024–25 Season: 98,85,100 bales
“White gold in crisis: Rapidly shrinking area of cotton cultivation in Maharashtra and changing attitude of farmers”Cotton cultivation, once known as “white gold” in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra, is now going through a serious crisis. In the areas which were once considered the major “cotton belt” of the country, especially Dharashiv and surrounding districts, the area under cotton is decreasing rapidly and in many places it is almost on the verge of extinction.The situation is extremely worrying in Dharashiv district, where cotton cultivation is now left in only 172 hectares of the 5.5 lakh hectare Kharif area. It has reached even lower levels in Kalamb taluka, where cotton is being grown in only 5 hectares out of 78,000 hectares. Where earlier this crop was mainly grown in thousands of hectares, now it has registered a decline of more than 99 percent. In other districts including Jalgaon, the area under cotton has been continuously decreasing for the last few years.Cotton, which became the major cash crop for farmers in the 1990s, is now proving to be a persistent loss-making business. Its cultivation costs around ₹ 35,000 per acre. Rising wage rates, a heavily labor-dependent harvesting system and rising expenditure on pesticides are increasing the burden on farmers. Invasion of pests like pink bollworm, irregular rainfall, climate change and declining soil fertility have further affected production.Although the government has consistently increased the minimum support price (MSP) of cotton—from ₹5,726 in 2021-22 to ₹7,521 in 2024-25—but farmers say the increase is not enough to keep up with rising costs. Many times the confidence of farmers has weakened due to getting lower prices than MSP in the market. Also the productivity in Maharashtra is only about 350 kg per hectare, which is less than the national average.Due to these circumstances, farmers are increasingly turning to crops like soybean and corn, because these have lower costs and yield income relatively quickly. The impact of the decline in cotton production is not limited to the fields only, but it is also affecting the ginning industry, employment and the supply chain of the textile industry.Experts believe that if policies like mechanization, better seeds, effective pest control and stable market prices are not addressed, this crop may completely disappear from many areas in the coming years.read more :- The rupee opened at 92.82, gaining 10 paise.
The rupee opened 10 paise higher at 92.82 against the dollar.On Monday, the Indian rupee opened 10 paise higher against the dollar at 92.82, whereas it had closed at 92.92 on Friday.Read More :- Seed Shortage Ahead of Cotton Sowing; Target of 2.9 Lakh Hectares at Risk
Crisis Over Seed Availability Ahead of Cotton Sowing; Concerns Mount Regarding 2.9 Lakh Hectare TargetThe onset of the Kharif season is imminent, and with the arrival of Akshaya Tritiya, cotton sowing is set to begin; however, the situation regarding the stocking and sale of seeds remains unclear this year. Uncertainty persists in the market as the administration has yet to issue the necessary permissions. The lack of timely guidelines has also heightened the risk of substandard and uncertified seeds finding their way into the market.Statistics from the Agriculture Department further underscore the gravity of this issue. Out of 783 seed samples collected over the past two years, 54 were found to be substandard—meaning approximately 7 percent of the seeds failed to meet quality standards. This situation indicates that low-quality seeds are already present in the market, posing a significant risk to farmers.This year, a target has been set to sow cotton across approximately 2.9 lakh hectares in the district. Given such substantial demand, the availability of seeds is critical; however, due to the lack of official authorization, the stocking and distribution of certified seeds have yet to commence. Consequently, farmers are in a state of confusion, and in many areas, they are heading to the market to purchase seeds without having access to accurate information.Proposed Crop Area for Kharif 2026For the Kharif 2026 season, sowing is proposed across a total area of 4.16 lakh hectares within the district. The major crops included are as follows:Maize: 77,000 hectares (the most prominent cereal crop)Total Cereal Crops: 78,000 hectaresPulses: 8,228 hectares (Black Gram, Green Gram, Pigeon Pea)Oilseeds: 80,000 hectares (Soybean accounts for over 78,000 hectares)Cotton: 290,000 hectares (the largest cash crop)Other Kharif and Horticultural Crops: 42,000 hectares*Threat to Production Posed by Substandard Seeds*Experts state that substandard seeds lead to reduced germination rates, hinder plant growth, and result in a decline in overall production, thereby causing direct financial losses to farmers. Complaints regarding such issues have surfaced in the district on previous occasions as well. Consequently, farmers are being advised to purchase seeds exclusively from authorized vendors and to ensure they obtain a proper receipt or bill for their purchase.If timely permissions and clear guidelines are not issued, the repercussions will extend beyond just production levels; they could also have a severe adverse impact on farmers' incomes.*Seed Scam Incidents Have Surfaced Previously*Farmers in the Khargone district previously suffered heavy losses due to substandard bitter gourd seeds. Forty-eight farmers had cultivated crops across approximately 100 acres using seeds procured from a high-tech greenhouse nursery in Sirlay village; however, the resulting yield was poor. The farmers allege that the 'Robusta' variety seeds supplied by the company BASF were defective. Despite the plants flowering, no fruits developed, and the entire crop was ruined.The farmers escalated their complaint regarding this matter all the way to the Union Minister of Agriculture, following which a case was registered against the concerned company at the Manawar Police Station in the Dhar district.read more :- Support to textile sector amid crisis
Preparation to provide relief to textile industry amid West Asia crisisNew Delhi: The Textiles Ministry is working on several relief measures to secure the supply of raw materials and reduce cost pressure amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia. The ministry has proposed reduction in import duty and some regulatory relaxations, so that the industry can maintain production and remain competitive in the global market.The proposed steps include reducing import duty on rayon pulp and select cotton varieties, as well as temporarily suspending anti-dumping duty on certain types of yarn. Besides this, the Ministry has also sought removal of Minimum Import Price (MIP) on certain knitted fabrics in talks with the Agriculture and Finance Ministries.According to an official, discussions are going on with the Agriculture Ministry regarding reduction in fees. While some parties are in favor of removing the duty due to inadequate production in the country, emphasis is also being laid on giving priority to the interests of farmers.Meanwhile, readymade garments exports declined 19% year-on-year in March due to supply constraints and shipping problems in West Asia. In such a situation, the government is encouraging the industry to move towards new markets in East Asia.It is noteworthy that last year the government had given exemption from 11% duty on cotton import for four months, so that the impact of American tariff could be balanced. India mainly imports special cotton varieties such as extra-long staple, often from the US and Egypt. At the same time, rayon pulp is mainly imported from Europe, on which currently there is a duty of 5%.Recently, the government has also given full customs duty exemption on 40 petrochemical products in view of the situation in West Asia, 29 of which are used in the textile industry, especially in the production of man-made fibres.Additionally, the Ministry is also in talks with the Finance Ministry for removal or deferment of the proposed anti-dumping duty on Elastomeric Fiber Yarn and Viscose Rayon Filament Yarn. These products are mainly imported from China and Singapore.read more :- Rupee higher 02 paise to close at 92.92 per dollar
The Indian rupee on Friday higher 02 paise to close at 92.92 per dollar, while it opened at 92.94 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was up 504.86 points or 0.65 percent at 78,493.54, and the Nifty was up 156.80 points or 0.65 percent at 24,353.55. About 2906 shares advanced, 1233 shares declined, and 152 shares unchanged.read more :- The rupee opened at 92.94 gaining 25 paise.
The rupee opened at 92.94 against the dollar, up 25 paise.On Friday, the Indian rupee opened 25 paise higher against the dollar at 92.94, whereas it had closed at 93.19 on Thursday.Read More :- The rupee closed 09 paise higher against the dollar at 93.19
| title | Created At | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous rise in cotton prices intensifies pressure on the market. | 22-04-2026 12:21:58 | view |
| Delay in Cotton-Soybean Insurance Payments; Farmers Concerned | 22-04-2026 11:25:32 | view |
| CCI's Cotton Sales Accelerate Amid Strong Demand; Prices Rise | 22-04-2026 11:15:32 | view |
| The rupee opened at 93.70 down 21 paise. | 22-04-2026 09:23:11 | view |
| Rupee fell 19 paise to close at 93.49 per dollar | 21-04-2026 15:43:56 | view |
| Relief for Farmers: Green Signal for Sale of BT Cotton Seeds in Kharif 2026 | 21-04-2026 12:54:30 | view |
| The rupee opened at 93.30 recording a decline of 18 paise. | 21-04-2026 09:26:02 | view |
| Preparations for Cotton Sowing Underway in Alwar; Bumper Yield Expected | 20-04-2026 16:46:48 | view |
| The rupee fell 30 paise to close at 93.12 against the US dollar. | 20-04-2026 15:38:44 | view |
| CCI increases cotton prices, sales cross 2.93 lakh bales | 20-04-2026 15:09:37 | view |
| “Cotton crisis in Maharashtra: Declining cultivation and changing attitude of farmers” | 20-04-2026 12:09:17 | view |
| The rupee opened at 92.82, gaining 10 paise. | 20-04-2026 09:22:46 | view |
| Seed Shortage Ahead of Cotton Sowing; Target of 2.9 Lakh Hectares at Risk | 18-04-2026 13:08:08 | view |
| Support to textile sector amid crisis | 17-04-2026 16:25:06 | view |
| Rupee higher 02 paise to close at 92.92 per dollar | 17-04-2026 15:46:30 | view |
| The rupee opened at 92.94 gaining 25 paise. | 17-04-2026 09:24:15 | view |
