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Haryana : Rain and Hailstorm in Chopta Area; Fears of Damage to Narma and Cotton CropsChopta. The weather took a sudden turn on Thursday afternoon in the Nathusari Chopta region. Several villages experienced rainfall accompanied by hailstorms. While the rain brought relief to farmers, there are concerns that the hailstones may damage the Narma (American cotton) and cotton crops.Light to heavy rainfall was recorded in several villages across the region, including Kumharia, Khedi, Rampura Dhillon, Jodakia, Kutiyana, and Barasari. The weather became pleasant following the rain, and the increased soil moisture has benefited farmers sowing Guar (cluster bean) and Bajra (pearl millet). Farmers, who had been awaiting rain for a long time, stated that this would accelerate sowing operations, even on barren land.However, a hailstorm lasting about five minutes in Jamal village has raised fears of an adverse impact on the Narma and cotton crops. Farmers noted that while the rain is beneficial for crops at this stage, hailstorms and strong winds could cause damage.Farmers Omprakash, Sudesh Kumar, Jagdish, and Mohanlal stated that Narma has been sown across approximately 22,000 hectares in the region. Consequently, the hailstorm could affect the crops of a large number of farmers. They have urged the administration to survey the condition of the crops and provide necessary assistance.read more :- MP Monsoon May Gain Pace After 72 Hours

MP Monsoon Update: Monsoon likely to pick up pace after 72 hours; currently stalled 550 km from BhopalBhopal. A significant update regarding the monsoon's arrival in Madhya Pradesh has been released. According to the Meteorological Department, the monsoon's momentum has currently slowed, and its northern limit remains stalled approximately 550 kilometers away from Bhopal. Consequently, a further delay of about five days is anticipated in the monsoon's arrival in the state.Meteorologists state that the monsoon's progress has been hampered by the weakening of weather systems active over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Shifts in wind direction and a lack of atmospheric moisture are currently preventing the monsoon from advancing. However, weather conditions are expected to become favorable within the next 72 hours, potentially accelerating the monsoon's movement once again.Senior meteorologist Dr. Ved Prakash Singh indicated that a new low-pressure area is likely to form within the next 48 hours. This development could create favorable conditions for the monsoon to advance further.According to the Meteorological Department's forecast, the monsoon will enter Madhya Pradesh through its eastern region, likely arriving via Dindori, Mandla, or Amarkantak. Following its entry, significant rainfall is expected to commence in the Jabalpur, Shahdol, and Rewa divisions within 72 to 96 hours.Meanwhile, the monsoon is expected to become active in the central and western parts of the state—including the capital, Bhopal, and Indore—by the last week of June. Until then, humid and hot conditions are likely to persist in several districts.The Agriculture Department has advised farmers to sow Kharif crops only after the first spell of good, adequate rainfall to prevent damage to the seeds.read more :- Rupee Opens Marginally Lower at 94.34 Against US Dollar

The rupee opened 1 paisa lower at 94.34 against the USD.On Friday, the Indian rupee opened 1 paisa lower against the dollar at 94.34, whereas it had closed at 94.33 on Thursday.READ MORE :- The rupee higher by 36 paise against the dollar to close at 94.33

India-UK Trade Agreement to Come into Effect on July 15, 2026Expressing his happiness, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will come into effect on July 15, 2026.Writing on the social media platform X, the Prime Minister said, "Delighted to learn that the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement will become effective from July 15, 2026. This agreement will provide fresh momentum to trade and investment between the two nations."During a meeting held between Prime Minister Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France, both leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.Prime Minister Modi stated that this agreement would open up new opportunities for Indian farmers, workers, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, and innovators.According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the two leaders reviewed the progress made in India-UK relations following the mutual visits that took place last year. They also welcomed the advancements achieved under 'Vision 2035' in key areas such as trade and economic development, defense and security, climate action and green energy, technology and innovation, education, and people-to-people ties.read more :-  The rupee higher by 36 paise against the dollar to close at 94.33

On Thursday the Indian Rupee higher by 36 paise to close at 94.33 against the US dollar, after opening at 94.69 in morning trade.At close, the Sensex was up 254.36 points or 0.33 percent at 77,409.98, and the Nifty was up 82.30 points or 0.34 percent at 24,168. About 2280 shares advanced, 1772 shares declined, and 169 shares unchanged.read more :- Rupee Weakness Brings Mixed Relief to Textile Exporters

Rupee Weakness in FY26 Offers Relief to Textile Exporters, Yet Challenges PersistThe Indian rupee has depreciated by approximately 46% against the US dollar over the last decade. Generally, a weaker rupee is considered beneficial for exporters as it makes Indian products relatively cheaper in the global market. However, India's textile and garment exports have seen only limited growth during this period, highlighting issues such as global competition, weak demand, and market uncertainties.According to Ministry of Commerce data, India's textile and garment exports stood at approximately $29.47 billion in the 2014-15 fiscal year, when the rupee was trading at around 65 against the dollar. Subsequently, the rupee weakened steadily, closing at 94.83 per dollar on March 31, 2026. Despite this, textile and garment exports in FY26 declined to $35.80 billion, a 2% drop compared to the $36.61 billion recorded in the previous fiscal year.Experts note that while exporters benefited from the rupee's depreciation, this advantage could not offset the impact of sluggish global demand and the growing presence of competing nations. Garment exports, in particular, have remained under pressure for the past few years. Industry insiders believe that despite a marginal rise in export value, there has been a decline in export volumes. Some estimates suggest that shipment volumes may have dropped by nearly one-third between FY15 and FY26.Siddhartha Rajagopal, Executive Director of the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council, stated that although orders from the US declined in FY26, improved demand from markets such as China, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka provided some support to exports. Meanwhile, K. [Name Incomplete], Chairman of the Powerloom Development and Export Promotion Council... Shaktivel stated that while exports to African countries saw a brief surge in the last fiscal year, the period was overall highly uncertain for the industry.The industry believes that export growth in the coming years will not depend solely on the depreciation of the rupee, but also on enhancing competitiveness, gaining access to new markets, and an improvement in global demand.read more :- North India Cotton Acreage Drops 22%

Cotton Acreage Shrinks in North India; Farmers Shift Towards PaddyCotton cultivation acreage in North India has declined by approximately 22 percent during the current Kharif season. Experts attribute this shift to farmers' growing preference for paddy cultivation, driven by the assurance of government procurement and the potential for better returns.According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, cotton sowing in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan covered approximately 9 lakh hectares this year, down from 11.56 lakh hectares last year. By June 12, the total cotton acreage nationwide stood at 9.53 lakh hectares, compared to 13.19 lakh hectares a year earlier; however, sowing operations are still underway in parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, and Rajasthan.A state-wise breakdown reveals that cotton acreage in Punjab has dropped from 1.19 lakh hectares to 0.80 lakh hectares. In Haryana, it fell from 3.94 lakh hectares to 2.92 lakh hectares, and in Rajasthan, it decreased from 6.43 lakh hectares to 5.28 lakh hectares. Nevertheless, Atul Ganatra, Chairman of the Crop Committee at the Cotton Association of India (CAI), believes that favorable rainfall in certain parts of Rajasthan could stabilize cotton acreage or even lead to a 3–4 percent increase.Experts observe that cotton farming is becoming increasingly risky for farmers. Bhagirath Choudhary, Founder-Director of the South Asia Biotechnology Centre, notes that the rising menace of the pink bollworm, weather uncertainties, and market prices consistently remaining below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) are eroding farmers' confidence. Conversely, the guaranteed procurement and prospect of higher profits associated with paddy cultivation are attracting farmers.According to Dilip Monga, former head of the Central Institute for Cotton Research, cotton acreage in North India has been steadily declining for several years. Adverse weather conditions, pest pressure, and the superior economic returns offered by other crops are driving farmers away from cotton cultivation. This is the reason why paddy has gained an edge over cotton this season as well.read more :- Rupee Opens 16 Paise Lower at 94.69 Against US Dollar

Rajasthan - Raisinghnagar (Muklawa): Rain breathes new life into Narma crop; greenery returns to the fieldsRecent rainfall in the Muklawa area of Raisingh-nagar and surrounding villages has revitalized the  Narma (cotton) crop. The crop, which had been struggling due to prolonged intense heat and a lack of moisture, has received significant relief from the rain, bringing a look of satisfaction to the farmers' faces.The rainfall has ensured adequate soil moisture, yielding a positive impact on the Narma crop. The plants in the fields appear much greener and healthier than before. New leaf growth is visible in many places, signaling an improvement in the crop's development.These days, Narma fields across rural areas are lush and green. The freshness infused into the crop by the rain has transformed the landscape of the fields and sparked hopes of a better yield among farmers. Agricultural experts believe that if the weather remains favorable and the crop receives necessary moisture at regular intervals, its growth could improve even further.Farmers state that the rain has breathed new life into the crop. While the crop's condition had become worrying due to drought-like conditions, a clear improvement in the plants is now evident. The return of greenery to the Narma fields is being viewed as a positive sign for the region's agricultural landscape.read more :- Rupee Opens 16 Paise Lower at 94.69 Against US Dollar

The rupee opened 16 paise lower at 94.69 against the USD.On Thursday, the Indian rupee opened 16 paise lower against the dollar at 94.69, whereas it had closed at 94.53 on Wednesday.READ MORE :- Farmers Shift to Cotton as Sowing Gains Momentum in Beawar

Farmers Shift Towards Cotton as a Cash Crop; Sowing Picks Up Pace in the DistrictFarmers in Beawar district are increasingly turning towards cotton cultivation this year. Anticipating the monsoon and favorable weather conditions, they have commenced sowing operations. The Agriculture Department has set a target to sow cotton across 3,000 hectares in the district during the current Kharif season. Departmental data indicates that sowing has already been completed on approximately 1,950 hectares, showing rapid progress toward the target.The area under cotton cultivation is steadily expanding across various parts of the district. Farmers in the rural areas surrounding Jaitaran, Bijaynagar, and Beawar are adopting cotton farming in large numbers. The scope of cotton sowing has also widened in the Babra, Sarmaliya, Sargaon, and Pisangan route areas. Agricultural experts believe that as the monsoon becomes active in the coming days, the sowing area will expand further, enabling the department to easily meet its set target.According to agricultural experts, cotton is a major cash crop for farmers. It offers the potential for better economic returns compared to other crops. Once the crop is ready, farmers often secure relatively good market prices, and the payment process is generally smooth. This is why farmers have increasingly gravitated towards cotton production over the past few years.The climate of Beawar and the surrounding semi-arid regions is considered favorable for cotton production. Cotton sowing begins earlier than that of many other Kharif crops. Moreover, cotton is not limited to fiber production alone; its seeds are used to produce oil and oil cake. Cotton oil cake is in high demand within the animal husbandry sector, providing farmers with opportunities for additional income.Data from the Beawar Agricultural Produce Market also reflects the growing popularity of cotton in the region. Cotton arrivals at the market were recorded at 9,582 quintals in 2025, rising to 28,317 quintals in 2026. This increase reflects growing interest among farmers and an expansion in production capacity.According to Dinesh Kumar, Assistant Director of the Agriculture Department in Beawar, a target has been set to sow cotton across 3,000 hectares in the district; given current progress, this target is expected to be met soon. If weather conditions remain favorable and adequate rainfall occurs on time, cotton production in the district is also likely to be strong this season.READ MORE :- Tamil Nadu OE Mills Warn of 50% Production Cut Amid Cotton Waste Price Surge

Tamil Nadu’s OE Spinning Mills Warn of 50% Production Cut Due to High Cotton Waste PricesMore than 250 Open-End (OE) spinning mills in Tamil Nadu have warned that they will be forced to cut production by up to 50 percent starting next week unless there is a prompt and substantial reduction in cotton waste prices. This announcement was made by the Open-End Spinning Mills Association (OSMA). The industry states that rising raw material costs have severely impacted the financial health of the mills, making it increasingly difficult to sustain production under current conditions.According to OSMA President G. Arulmozhi, there has been an unusual surge in the prices of cotton waste—specifically 'comber noil'—over the past few months. Comber noil is the primary raw material used by OE spinning mills. Open-end spinning technology produces yarn without spindles and relies heavily on cotton waste. While the continuous rise in prices has driven up production costs, the prices of the finished yarn have not increased proportionately.The association noted that cotton prices dropped significantly after the Central Government removed the 11 percent import duty on cotton on May 31. Cotton prices fell from approximately ₹195 per kilogram to ₹172 per kilogram—a reduction of about ₹23 per kilogram. Despite this, the price of comber noil has dropped by only ₹10 to ₹15 per kilogram. The industry believes this reduction is insufficient and argues that cotton waste prices should decrease in line with cotton prices.OSMA stated that if prices are not reduced further within this week, all grey yarn OE mills in Tamil Nadu will collectively halve their production starting next week. This decision will impact not only 250 grey yarn mills but also approximately 350 other OE (Open-End) mills that utilize pre-consumer garment waste and recycled PET fiber.The grey yarn produced in these mills is used in major textile hubs such as Karur, Somanur, Palladam, Avinashi, and Erode to manufacture products like towels, lungis, jeans, T-shirts, socks, bedspreads, and other affordable textile items. The association has urged both the state and central governments to intervene and find a permanent solution to the volatility in cotton waste prices.READ MORE :- Gujarat Cotton Sowing Reaches 2.39 Lakh Hectares by June 15, Surpasses Last Year’s Pace