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Stark difference in labour costs pushes Maharashtra farmers to grow illegal HTBt cotton varietyOver the past few years, Laxmint Kauthankar has eschewed using genetically modified cotton variety, commonly known as Bt cotton, and started using completely unauthorised herbicide tolerant Bt (HTBT) cotton. This farmer from Adgaon Budruk village in Akola’s Akot taluka knows that such cultivation is illegal, but claims that simple economics forces him to do so.“Weed control alone in Bt cotton would cost me over Rs 20,000 per acre. In case of HTBT, the same expense would be Rs 2,000. So why shouldn’t I adopt it?” Kauthankar says that Bt cotton is hardly sold in his village’s input shop – most farmers have moved to HTBT for the same reasons. Like him, other cotton growers in Maharashtra have adopted the cultivation of unauthorised transgenic cotton, fully aware of the illegality of their act.Central government rules call for fines and jail terms for cultivating unauthorised GM crops. India has so far allowed the commercial release of Bt cotton. Bt stands for Bacillus thuringiensis – the name of the bacterium whose gene has been inserted into cotton seeds. HtBT is the next generation of GM cotton and allows plants to resist spraying of glyphosate, a herbicide commonly used for weed control. But the sale, production and storage of this variety is illegal in the country.But for farmers like Kauthankar, the ground conditions matter. “Consider this: For one acre of land, I will need about four cycles of weeding during the entire 6-7 month cycle of the cotton crop. For one weeding, I will need about 15 labourers and thus the total labour requirement will be around 60. At a daily wage of Rs 300 per day, the total labour expenditure for weeding comes to Rs 18,000. Even if I arrange the money, where are the labourers?,” said the farmer who cultivates cotton and soybean in over 40 acres of his holding. On the other hand, HTBT cotton requires herbicide spraying, and the total cost of this operation comes to Rs 2,000 per acre in the entire cotton crop cycle.read more :- Rupee open Strength 01 Paise to 85.48 per Dollar

INR higher 01 Paise, Opens at 85.48per USDIndian rupee opened higher by 01 paise at 85.48 per dollar on Monday versus Friday's close of 85.49.read more :- CCI Cotton Sales report Update for Season 2024-25  

CCI Cotton Sales Report 2024-25The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has sold approx. 47,44,600 bales of cotton so far in the current season 2024-25. This accounts for 47.44% (approx.) of the total cotton procured this year.The state-wise breakdown of bales sold by CCI mentioned in the above postThis data reflects significant movement in cotton sales, particularly from Maharashtra, Telangana, and Gujarat, which together account for over 85.54% of total sales so far.This data showcases CCI’s active role in stabilizing the cotton market across major producing states.read more :- CCI Weekly Report on Cotton Bales Sales

India bans import of jute, other items via land routes amid strained Bangladesh ties: India on Friday tightened trade restrictions on Bangladesh, announcing a ban on imports of certain jute products and woven fabrics through all land routes, citing strained relations between the two countries.These measures were announced in the context of the controversial statements made by Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, in China.Land route ban on Bangladeshi productsUnder the new directive from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), imports will be allowed only through the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra, PTI reported.The goods under these curbs include jute products, flax tow and waste, jute and other bast fibres, jute, single flax yarn, single yarn of jute, multiple folded, woven fabrics or flex, and unbleached woven fabrics of jute.This effectively closes all land border crossings for these specific goods, a significant disruption for cross-border trade.Such port restrictions will not apply to Bangladeshi goods transiting through India to Nepal and Bhutan, it added.Re-exports not allowedThe DGFT further said re-exports of these products from Bangladesh to India through Nepal and Bhutan will not be allowed."Import from Bangladesh shall not be allowed from any land port on the India-Bangladesh border. However, it is allowed only through the Nhava Sheva seaport," the DGFT said, adding that "imports of certain goods from Bangladesh to India are regulated with immediate effect". On May 17, India imposed port restrictions on the import of certain goods like readymade garments and processed food items, from the neighbouring country.On April 9, India withdrew the transhipment facility it had granted to Bangladesh for exporting various items to the Middle East, Europe and various other countries except Nepal and Bhutan, the news agency reported.Strained cross-border relationsThe new measures were announced after Yunus' comments that irked New Delhi. They also drew sharp reactions from political leaders across party lines in India.India-Bangladesh relations have deteriorated after Yunus failed to contain attacks on minorities, especially HindusEconomic impactBangladesh is a big competitor of India in the textile sector. The India-Bangladesh trade stood at $12.9 billion in 2023-24.In 2024-25, India's exports stood at $11.46 billion, while imports were $2 billion.Bangladesh's perceived growing closeness with Pakistan and China and the implications of India's strained ties with its eastern neighbour were also discussed at a parliamentary committee meeting on Friday, according to the news agency.read more :- CCI Weekly Report on Cotton Bales Sales

CCI Weekly Cotton Bale Sales ReportCotton Corporation of India (CCI) conducted online bidding for cotton bales throughout the week, with the summary of daily sales being as follows:23 JUNE 2025 : Daily sales were recorded at 1,00,400 bales (2024-25) and 1,800 bales (2023-24), comprising 21,300 bales (2024-25) in the Mills session and 79,100 bales (2024-25) and 1,800 bales (2023-24) in the Traders session.24 JUNE 2025 : Total 2,24,400 bales recorded, including 2,24,200 bales (2024-25) and 200 bales (2023-24), comprising 98,000 bales (2024-25) and 200 bales (2023-24) in Mills session and 1,26,200 bales (2024-25) in Traders session.25 JUNE 2025 : Highest sales of the week were 4,34,500 bales (2024-25) , including 1,88,000 bales (2024-25) in Mills session and 2,46,500 bales (2024-25) in Traders session.26 JUNE 2025 : Total 4,14,400 bales (2024-25) were recorded, including 1,53,800 bales (2024-25) in Mills session and 2,60,600 bales (2023-24) in Traders session.27 JUNE 2025: Week closed at 3,19,700 bales (2024-25 season), including 77,900 bales sold during Mills session, and 2,41,800 bales sold during Traders session.Weekly Total: During the week, CCI sold 47,44,600 (approx.) cotton bales, successfully using its online bidding platform to streamline transactions and support trading.SiS is committed to updating you in real time on all textile related newsread more :- Tamilnadu Plans Fair Pricing for Cotton Yield

Steps being taken to ensure cotton farmers get appropriate price for their produce, says T.N. government.The Tamil Nadu Agriculture Department has called upon cotton farmers to bring their produce to regulated markets. It also appealed to them to dry their produce and categorise them to meet norms on moisture, staple length, and micronaire, among others.An official release from the Secretary of the Agriculture Department said the Tamil Nadu government was taking steps to ensure cotton farmers get an appropriate price for their produce. It has also deputed officials to visit the districts.Cotton was cultivated in about 3.66 lakh acres across Tamil Nadu and the production was about 52,700 MT. As per the third estimates, the cotton production was about 36,000 MT during 2024-25. Of this, the production of cotton from the Cauvery delta districts such as Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Tiruvarur districts, was about 7,700 MT, it said.read more :- Hedging desk started for farmers in Maharashtra

Maharashtra government launches hedging desk for cotton, turmeric and maize to help farmers(PTI) To ensure fair market prices and increased income for farmers, the Maharashtra government has launched a hedging desk in Pune under the first phase of the Balasaheb Thackeray Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) project.The desk will initially focus on cotton, turmeric and maize crops. Over time, the initiative will be expanded to cover more crops, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.In collaboration with the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) and its research wing NCDEX Institute of Commodity Markets and Research (NICR), the initiative aims to protect farmers from losses due to market price fluctuations.Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called it a major step for the development of the agriculture sector.Hedging, like a fence protecting the farm, protects farmers from risks caused by price fluctuations in the market. Its main objective is to mitigate risks arising from potential price declines in the future. Farmers can also benefit from options trading, which allows them to lock in favourable prices, the statement said.Based on World Bank recommendations and the project implementation framework, the hedging desk has been set up to provide training and guidance to farmers and farmer producer organisations (FPOs) to participate in the commodity futures market.Agriculture contributes 12 per cent to Maharashtra's gross state domestic product (GSDP), yet crop production is still heavily dependent on nature.Despite successful crops, farmers often lack price control over their produce. To tackle this uncertainty, the government has supported them through policies, modern agricultural practices and crop insurance schemes.Recognising the limited resources and market knowledge of individual farmers, the government has now set up a dedicated, centralised agricultural hedging desk in Pune, it said.The hedging desk will work with FPOs and cluster-based business organisations (CBBOs) to provide technical information on commodity contracts and risk management strategies.This desk will provide real-time market information on trends, supply-demand changes and global prices. It will also promote setting up of storage centres near farms through FPOs.A risk management cell will analyse various types of risks and prepare mitigation strategies. It will publish annual commodity price risk assessment reports for cotton, maize and turmeric, offering current insights, forecasts and policy recommendations. Awareness and training programmes on commodity derivatives will also be organised.Additionally, at least 50 FPOs involved in the production and marketing of cotton, maize and turmeric will be registered and facilitated to trade in the futures market.A formal agreement was signed between NCDEX and Smart Project on April 8, 2025 for setting up this hedging desk. Special focus will be given to FPOs and farmers in cotton, turmeric and maize growing areas, especially in Hingoli, Washim, Sangli, Yavatmal, Akola, Nanded, Amravati, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Beed.The project is headquartered in Pune and has started operating across the state.Hedging and options trading in select agricultural commodities are expected to bring huge benefits to farmers in Maharashtra. For example, a farmer unsure about future market prices at the time of sowing can lock in the price using options trading. This guarantees a minimum selling price, protecting them from market volatility, the statement said.Ultimately, this helps farmers get a stable income, plan financially better and feel more confident about investing in agriculture.read more :- Karnataka: 40% of kharif sowing has been completed in Yadgir district.

Yadgir Farmers Complete 40% Kharif SowingAfter three weeks of southwest monsoon and good rains before that, farmers who had already prepared the land in the district have started sowing. And, 40% sowing has been recorded till the beginning of this week.According to data provided by the agriculture department, 40.77% sowing has been recorded in Yadgir district. The department has set a target of 4,16,474 hectares for 2025-26 and out of this, 1,69,181 hectares, i.e. 40.77%, has been brought under cultivation so far.Farmers prefer moong, red moong, cotton and paddy for the kharif season, which is widely covered in the area irrigated under the Upper Krishna Project network, especially in Hunsgi and parts of Shahapur and Shorapur taluks.Meanwhile, paddy sowing is to be done in 1,07,856 hectares, while sowing is yet to begin.The taluk-wise sowing target and actual sowing is as follows: Shahapur 75,627 hectares (23,610 hectares), Wadagera 57,284 hectares (20,075 hectares), Shorapur 94,952 hectares (28,569 hectares), Hunsagi 66,134 hectares (19,682 hectares), Yadgir 69,505 hectares (42,979 hectares) and Gurmitkal 52,968 hectares (34,795 hectares).The highest sowing of 65.54% was recorded in Gurmitkal taluk, while the lowest sowing of 30.03% was recorded in Hunsagi taluk, where the area is largely irrigated and farmers sow paddy."Farmers can sow all crops except green gram by the end of July. We hope to cover more than 90% of the targeted area in the remaining period," said Rathendranath Sugur, joint director of the agriculture department. The district has received sporadic rainfall since sowing began this season. And, the weather has been dry despite cloudy weather across the district. Currently, mainly the green gram crop, considered a short-term cash crop, is about 10-15 days old. So, farmers have started ploughing to remove weeds between the crop rows to help them grow beautifully."The crops will need rain water in the next few days if not immediately as the soil is drying up slowly after ploughing," said Mahadevappa, a farmer ploughing his green gram field. Many farmers have said that the district has received good rainfall even before the onset of monsoon, which is even above the normal figures. "More importantly, if the crops get the required rainfall and fertilisers, they will give a good yield now," said Basavaraj Patil, another farmer.read more :- Maharashtra Cotton Sowing Hits 47% Mark

Maharashtra: So far only 47 percent sowing has been done in the district; this year cotton cultivation has been half .Jalgaon: Despite the month of Ashadh starting, sowing of Kharif is getting delayed in the district. Till 25th June only 47.6 percent sowing has been done. There has been rain at some places in the district. Due to this, the rate of sowing is more or less low everywhere in the taluka. Due to good initial rains this year, the maximum sowing has been done in Bodwad taluka in 90 percent area. Whereas Dharangaon taluka has the lowest sowing of 8 percent and Jalgaon taluka has only 10 percent sowing. Cotton cultivation starts from the first week of June, but this year cotton cultivation has been done in only 49 percent area. Still 51 percent cotton sowing is yet to be done.So far only 47 percent sowing has been done in the district; This year cotton cultivation was only half: 49 percent cotton cultivation, 64 percent maize sowingDespite the beginning of the month of Ashadh, sowing of Kharipa is still delayed in the district. Only 47.6 percent sowing has been completed till June 25. There has been rain at some places in the district. Due to this, the sowing rate is also more or less low everywhere in the taluka. Due to good initial rains this year, the highest sowing has been done in Bodwad taluka in 90 percent area. Whereas the lowest sowing has been done in Dharangaon taluka at only 8 percent and the lowest sowing has been done in Jalgaon taluka at only 10 percent. Cotton cultivation starts from the first week of June, but this year cotton cultivation has been completed in only 49 percent area. Still 51 percent cotton sowing is yet to be done.Kharif cultivation is done in 7 lakh 40 thousand 536 hectares in Jalgaon district. Out of this, the largest area of 5 lakh 46 thousand 933 hectares is of cotton alone. Although this year it rained in May, but the rain was delayed in June, due to which Kharif sowing could be completed in only 3 lakh 48 thousand hectares. Cotton has been cultivated in 2 lakh 68 thousand hectares. It is estimated that this year the area of cotton will decrease and the area of maize and soybean will increase. Despite less rain, the maximum 64 percent of maize sowing has been completed in the district. Maize sowing has been done in 59 thousand hectares.88 mm rainfall in the district Jalgaon district has recorded 88.7 mm rainfall till Wednesday. An average of 107.2 mm rainfall is expected in the district till June 26. In fact, 82.7 mm rainfall has been recorded. The highest rainfall of more than 100 mm was recorded in Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Erandol, Parola and Pachora talukas. The lowest rainfall was recorded in Raver, Muktainagar and Amalner talukas.read more :- Indian cotton acreage likely to increase despite setbacks in some pockets

"Cotton Cultivation Expands in India Despite Setbacks"The country’s area under cotton has witnessed an uptick despite setbacks in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh where a dry spell threatens to hit the first sowing. The cotton acreage is expected to increase by 7 per cent over 113.60. lakh hectares (lh) last year. As of June 20, the area under cotton was 31.25 lh.Though the area is trailing in States such as Telangana, the trade expects the acreage to improve in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh following an increase in minimum support price (MSP) for the fibre crop. In Karnataka, the area was up by about 40 per cent till June 20 at 3.35 lh compared with 2.40 lh a year ago. The area in Gujarat, however, could decline by 5 per cent as farmers in Saurashtra are shifting from cotton to groundnut.A long dry spell after early rains in the last week of May has dampened the hopes of cotton farmers in Telangana. Two-thirds of 33 districts in the State reported deficit rainfall. According to the India Meteorological Department, the State has received 23 per cent deficient rain during the current monsoon. With the prospects of losing the first sowing looming large, the State government is taking measures to make seeds available.Lukewarm enthusiasm“There is likely to be an increase of 8-10 per cent in the coverage of cotton in the country this season,” said Ramanuj Das Boob, Vice-President of the All-India Cotton Brokers Association and a sourcing agent in Raichur. In Karnataka, the acreage will be more by around 10 per cent, while Telangana and Andhra may also see an improvement, he said.Also, in northern States such as Rajasthan and Punjab, the acreage is seen improving, he said.Bhagirath Chaudhary, Director of Jodhpur-based South Asia Biotechnology Centre, said across North India, the 2025 cotton season has been marked by lukewarm enthusiasm driven by persistent concerns over profitability, recurring pink bollworm infestations and increasing disease concerns.Despite the Punjab government’s subsidy on Bt cotton hybrid seeds, farmer response this season has remained largely indifferent. The support, though well-intentioned, has failed to translate into any significant expansion of the cotton-growing area on the ground, Chaudhary said.Major setback“A major setback has been the unavailability of canal water during the crucial May sowing window, which has further discouraged farmers from planting cotton. This critical lapse has turned the tide in favour of paddy, a crop perceived by farmers as more stable, remunerative, and less risky,” Chaudhary said“To arrest the continuing decline, North Indian states must collaborate with the Central government on a comprehensive revival strategy to implement TMC 2.0 by incentivising drip irrigation system ensuring timely sowing of cotton and fast tracking approval and adoption of pink bollworm-resistant Bt cotton varieties with herbicide-tolerant traits,” he said.According to Anand Popat, Rajkot-based cotton, yarn and cotton waste trader, it will take another fortnight for the actual picture on cotton sowing to emerge across the country. However, the area in Gujarat could decline by 5 per cent as farmers in Saurashtra are shifting from cotton to groundnut. On the other hand, soyabean farmers are switching over to cotton. “In Maharashtra, the acreage could be plus or minus 2 per cent compared with last year. In the North, there could be a 10 per cent increase, and in the South, the area could rise by 15-25 per cent,” said Popat.Telangana farmers in distress.The early monsoon brought cheers to farmers in Telangana last month and they went for early sowings of cotton and paddy. Their hopes, however, are short-lived as the south-west monsoon played spoilsport. A long dry spell after the initial showers in the last week of May is causing concern among cotton farmers.“We are on the verge of losing the investments that we made in sowings. After initial rains in the last week, there have been no rains. If it doesn’t rain in the next few days, we may have to go for second sowing,” Ram Reddy (name changed), a cotton farmer in Narayanpet, told.read more :- INR rises 01 Paise, Closes at 85.49 per Dollar

The Indian rupee on friday higher 01 paise to close at 85.49 per dollar, while it opened at 85.50 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was up 303.03 points or 0.36 percent at 84,058.90, and the Nifty was up 88.80 points or 0.35 percent at 25,637.80. About 2135 shares advanced, 1727 shares declined, and 140 shares unchanged.read more :- Tamil Nadu: Business Traditions: Why cotton-rich Tirupur is turning to synthetics