Maharashtra: Cotton Acreage in Ahilyanagar Crosses 1.33 Lakh Hectares
By jayesh chouhan 2026-07-21 13:50:38
Maharashtra: Cotton acreage in Ahilyanagar crosses 1.33 lakh hectares
Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra: Farmers in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar district have prioritized cotton cultivation this year, despite a delayed monsoon and scanty rainfall in several areas. So far, cotton has been sown across an area of 1,33,010 hectares in the district. Taluka-wise data indicates that Shevgaon has recorded the highest cotton acreage, followed by Nevasa and Pathardi.
The average area for Kharif crops in the district is 5,79,768 hectares. This year, the monsoon arrived with a delay of nearly a month, directly impacting Kharif sowing operations. Consequently, cotton sowing also lagged behind the scheduled timeline. Nevertheless, farmers have continued to include cotton among their key crops.
According to Agriculture Department data, the sowing window for cotton has largely closed. As a result, the total cotton acreage in the district this year is expected to be lower than that of the previous year. No cotton sowing has taken place in Akole taluka so far. Meanwhile, cotton acreage remains relatively low in the Ahilyanagar, Jamkhed, Kopargaon, Parner, and Rahata talukas.
Shevgaon taluka leads the district with 42,037 hectares under cotton cultivation. It is followed by Nevasa (29,383 hectares) and Pathardi (26,382 hectares). Cotton cultivation has also been recorded across 18,623 hectares in Rahuri.
Many parts of the district are still awaiting adequate rainfall. Except for the western part of Akole taluka, a rainfall deficit persists in several areas. There are concerns that the cotton crop could be adversely affected by the lack of rain. Farmers are now pinning their hopes on future rainfall to improve the condition of the crop.
Despite the delayed rains, cotton remains a preferred choice among farmers. However, a clear picture of the actual decrease or increase in cotton acreage compared to the previous year will emerge only after the final sowing figures are released.
