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Cotton Sowing Sees No Rebound in North IndiaDespite a sharp decline in sowing area last year, cotton sowing area in North India is unlikely to improve in the new season. Trade sources said cotton acreage in Punjab may increase by about 25-30 per cent, but cotton acreage in Haryana and Rajasthan may decline further due to lack of water for irrigation. Market experts said the assured returns from wheat and paddy due to government procurement have discouraged cotton cultivation in North Indian states.According to market sources, about 60-70 per cent of cotton sowing had been completed in North India by the end of May. Sowing is expected to be completed in the next one to two weeks. There are indications that farmers in Haryana and Rajasthan are facing a severe water crisis for irrigation. Cotton sowing in North India mostly depends on canal water, but both states are not getting adequate supply to meet the growing demand.Sources said the area under cotton cultivation in Punjab could rise by about 30 per cent to 1.25 lakh hectares in the 2025-26 season. However, sowing could fall by 20-25 per cent in Haryana and 25-30 per cent in Rajasthan. According to official data, all three states witnessed a sharp decline in cotton acreage last year, falling to 10.955 lakh hectares.There are indications that the total cotton sowing area in north India could fall further to below 10 lakh hectares in the new season. Sources said farmers in these states are opting for the safer option of paddy cultivation during the kharif season, as the government is committed to buying paddy and wheat (during the rabi season) at the minimum support price. The current procurement policy has disillusioned farmers from growing cotton.Historical data on cotton sowing also supports this trend. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the cotton sowing area of North India was 15.620 lakh hectares in 2023-24. It decreased to 10.955 lakh hectares in 2024-25. The cotton area of Punjab decreased from 2.140 lakh hectares to 1 lakh hectares in 2023-24. The area in Haryana decreased from 6.650 lakh hectares and 6.830 lakh hectares in Rajasthan to 4.760 lakh hectares and 5.195 lakh hectares in Rajasthan.The Cotton Association of India (CAI) recently said that the cotton production of North India declined to 27.50 lakh bales (each 170 kg) in the current season from 45.62 lakh bales in the last season. The production estimates for the current season are as follows: Punjab – 1.50 lakh bales, Haryana – 7.80 lakh bales, Upper Rajasthan – 9.60 lakh bales and Lower Rajasthan – 8.60 lakh bales. In comparison, the production of last season was as follows: Punjab – 3.65 lakh bales, Haryana – 13.30 lakh bales, Upper Rajasthan – 15.47 lakh bales, and Lower Rajasthan – 13.20 lakh bales.read more:- Khandesh Begins Pre-Season Cotton Cultivation

Maharashtra: Cotton Cultivation in Khandesh: Pre-season cotton cultivation begins in KhandeshJalgaon: Pre-season or horticultural cotton cultivation has begun in Khandesh at the end of May. Cotton has sprouted in some areas. However, the agriculture department has also appealed to avoid dry land cotton cultivation until there is good rain.There is less response to pre-season or horticultural cotton cultivation in Khandesh this year. Cotton crop is proving to be loss-making and less profitable. Cotton crop is bearing the brunt of the shortage of labourers. Because cotton has to be sprayed three to four times and weed control has to be done three to four times. On the other hand, cotton harvesting starts during the festivals of Dussehra and Diwali.Cotton season begins in the fields during the festival season and workers have to bear the brunt of the shortage. Wage rates increase. Due to all these reasons, the area under cotton has reduced significantly in Khandesh in the last two years. In Jalgaon district alone, cultivation of 50 thousand hectares has reduced in the last season.The situation is the same this year as well. Many cotton growers have planned to sow soybean, maize in black soil and later grow gram and other Rabi crops in it. But cotton cultivation is going on in light, medium soil. The concerned farmers are cultivating cotton on drip irrigation and later plan to grow maize and other crops in it.More cultivation along SatpuraPre-season cotton cultivation is being seen along the Aner river along with the Tapi river in Khandesh. This cultivation has been done in the last three-four days. Pre-season cultivation has also been done in Raver, Yaval, Chopra of Jalgaon district as well as Jamner, Amalner, Parola, Shirpur, Dhule, Taloda and Shahada of Nandurbar. This cultivation is also going on. Cultivation will gain momentum this week. Cultivation will be done before the onset of monsoon rains. It is said that the expected plantation will be done in many areas by June 10.read more :- INR Drops 15 Paise, Closes at 85.90 per Dollar

The Indian rupee on wednesday lower 15 paise to close at 85.90 per dollar, while it opened at 85.75 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was up 260.74 points or 0.32 percent at 80,998.25, and the Nifty was up 77.70 points or 0.32 percent at 24,620.20. About 2017 shares advanced, 1835 shares declined, and 141 shares unchanged.read more :- ICAC forecasts global cotton outlook stable for 2025/26 season!

Cotton Market to Remain Stable: ICAC ForecastThe International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has maintained the global outlook stable for the 2025/26 cotton season. It forecasts production at 26 million tonnes and consumption at 25.7 million tonnes. Trade volumes are expected to rebound, rising by 2 per cent from the previous season to around 9.7 million tonnes. This increase will be driven by higher carryover stocks and projected mill demand.ICAC's regional production forecasts show upward revisions for Brazil, the United States and West Africa. However, these gains are likely to be offset by a slight decrease in Chinese production. Despite the decrease, China is expected to lead global production in 2025/26 with 6.3 million tonnes. After a record yield of 2,257 kg/ha in the current season, it is expected that China will continue to lead global production with a slight decrease in production.Supply remains stable, but global cotton consumption continues to be under pressure due to tariffs, regulatory uncertainty and increasing competition from alternative fibres. ICAC warns that the cotton trade outlook, although positive, could be impacted by geopolitical trade tensions and evolving tariff structures. ICAC Secretariat price forecasts put the average A index at 81 cents per pound for 2024/25.For the upcoming 2025/26 season, preliminary estimates suggest a wide price range between 56 and 95 cents per pound, with a midpoint forecast of 73 cents. These estimates are based on current market fundamentals and were provided by ICAC economist Lorena Ruiz. ICAC continues to monitor developments in production, consumption and trade that could influence cotton market dynamics in 2026.read more :- Maharashtra Faces Shortage of Desi Cotton Seeds

Maharashtra: Desi Cotton Seeds Shortage: Desi, Sidhi Cotton Varieties in Shortage in StateJalgaon : While the issue of Bt cotton technology becoming obsolete in Bollgard 2 is a matter of concern among farmers in the state, there is a demand for Desi or Sidhi cotton varieties. But there is a shortage of Desi Sidhi cotton varieties in the state.There is a demand for these varieties in Vidarbha, Marathwada and Khandesh. In these areas, Desi or Sidhi cotton varieties are sold in some cotton research centres and universities. But there is no response from the farmers. Farmers want Sidhi or Desi cotton varieties produced by some companies.But since the concerned companies cannot afford to sell cotton seeds at a certain price in the state, the concerned companies are officially selling these seeds in other parts, i.e. Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab etc. There, Sidhi or Desi cotton varieties of these companies are getting a price of Rs 1200 to Rs 1500 per packet (capacity of one packet is 475 grams).A domestic cotton variety producing company had proposed to the state government or the agriculture department that its Sidhi or Desi cotton varieties should be sold in the state at a price of Rs 1,400 per packet. But senior officials of the agriculture department rejected this proposal.Since the sale of BT cotton seeds in Bollgard 2 in the state has been fixed at Rs 901 per packet, the domestic or Desi cotton varieties of the concerned company cannot be sold at a higher price than this, it was said. Due to this, a situation is being created that the supply and sale of Sidhi varieties of some companies is not being done in the state.The agriculture departments of Jalgaon district corresponded with another Sidhi or Desi cotton variety producing company regarding the supply of seeds. But the concerned company showed its inability to supply the seeds.Farmers of Madhya Pradesh, GujaratMany farmers of Khandesh are going to Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat for this because Desi Sidhi cotton varieties are not available in the local market. From there they are bringing Desi and Sidhi cotton varieties at a price of Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per packet. Profiteering, illegal cotton seed suppliers are taking advantage of this and Desi, Sidhi cotton varieties are being imported illegally from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.The state needs 20 to 22 lakh packets. Desi or Sidhi cotton varieties are expected to be planted in at least seven to eight lakh hectares in the state. If Desi or Sidhi cotton varieties become available officially, this area may increase further. Because many farmers are avoiding planting Bollgard 2 type of BT cotton varieties due to pink bollworm, low production and increasing cost. The state needs at least 20 to 22 lakh Desi or Sidhi cotton varieties. Agricultural universities and cotton research centers cannot meet this need. On the other hand, since the high-demand Desi, Sidhi varieties are not available in the state market, black marketing is going on.We tried to make Desi, Sidhi cotton varieties available in Jalgaon district. We corresponded with producers and suppliers of some indigenous, straight cotton varieties. One company has expressed its inability to supply the varieties. But illegal trade and black marketing system is the main point of this.read more :- Rupee falls 16 paise at open to 85.75 against US dollar

 Rupee opens 16 paise down at 85.75 against dollar on FPI outflowThe currency opened at 85.75 against the dollar after ending the previous session at 85.59.read more :- Indian Rupee lower 7 Paisa, Ends at 85.59 per Dollar

The Indian rupee on tuesday lower 7 paise to close at 85.59 per dollar, while it opened at 85.52 in the morning. The BSE Sensex index see-sawed in a 1,200-point range as it hit a high of 81,774 and a low of 80,575 during the day. The index, eventually, closed at 80,737 as it fell 636 points or 0.78 per cent. read more :- India seeks WTO consultations with Indonesia on cotton yarn safeguards

India wants to discuss cotton yarn protections with Indonesia at the WTO. India on Monday sought consultations with Indonesia under the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on the extension of its safeguard measures on cotton yarn. These consultations, however, do not fall under the WTO’s dispute settlement system.India has 11.85% share in Indonesia’s cotton yarn imports.Last month, Indonesia cited certain unforeseen developments such as an increase in Indian cotton yarn exports worldwide, which in turn led to an unexpected surge in Indian cotton yarn exports to Indonesia.As a country having a substantial trade interest in the export of the textile product, India “hereby requests consultations” with Indonesia pursuant to a provision of the WTO’s Agreement on Safeguards with view to reviewing the information and exchanging views on the extension of the measure.“India would like to propose that consultations mentioned above take place virtually from 10 June to 13 June 2025 or on a mutually convenient date and time,” it added.read more :- Rupee Falls 14 Paise to 85.52 vs Dollar

Rupee Opens 14 Paise Lower at 85.52/USDIndian rupee opened lower by 14 paise at 85.52 per dollar on Tuesday versus Monday's close of 85.38.read more :- India's monsoon stalls after early start; to pick up again around June 11

India’s Monsoon Halts, Set to Resume June 11Rainfall over India is likely to remain subdued for over a week as the annual monsoon's progress has stalled after its earliest onset in 16 years, though it is likely to pick up again from June 11, two senior weather bureau officials said on Monday.The monsoon, the lifeblood of the country's nearly $4 trillion economy, delivers nearly 70% of the rain that India needs to water farms and replenish aquifers and reservoirs.Nearly half of India's farmland, which has no irrigation, depends on the annual June-September rains for crop growth.Monsoon rainfall will be subdued in the next few days, but from June 11-12, the monsoon will strengthen and start covering the remaining parts of the country, said S. D. Sanap, scientist with the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Pune office.Monsoon onset over Kerala occurred on May 24 and quickly covered southern, northeastern and some parts of western India ahead of its usual schedule, but its progress has stalled for the past few days, according to an IMD chart that tracked the monsoon's progress.A weather system is likely to develop in the Bay of Bengal around June 11 that will strengthen the monsoon and create favourable conditions for its progress in the northern parts of the country, said another weather department official.Summer rains usually fall in Kerala around June 1 before spreading nationwide by mid-July, allowing farmers to plant crops such as rice, corn, cotton, soybeans and sugarcane.The early arrival of the monsoon brought cheer to farmers, though the recent and sudden stall in rainfall surprised them, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trade house."Farmers are holding off on planting soybean, cotton, and other summer crops until there's more rain. They're waiting for the soil to have enough moisture," the dealer said.read more :- Indian rupee ended 20 paise higher at 85.38 per dollar on Monday versus previous close of 85.58.

Rupee  closed  Higher at 85.38 Against DollarAt close, the Sensex was down 77.26 points or 0.09 percent at 81,373.75, and the Nifty was down 34.10 points or 0.14 percent at 24,716.60. About 2065 shares advanced, 1903 shares declined, and 159 shares unchanged.READ MORE :- Indian rupee opened marginally higher at 85.54 per dollar on Monday versus Friday's close of 85.58.