Cotton Sowing Set to Decline in Khandesh; Area Feared to Drop Below 8 Lakh Hectares
For the second consecutive year, the area under cotton cultivation in the Khandesh region is expected to witness a decline. Estimates suggest that the total cotton sowing area in the region this year could remain below 8 lakh hectares. Jalgaon district is projected to account for the largest share of this total, with cotton cultivation estimated to cover approximately 4.75 lakh hectares. As the district with the largest cotton-growing area in the state, Jalgaon is expected to retain its leading position this year as well.
However, alongside Jalgaon, the districts of Dhule and Nandurbar are also observing a continuous decline in the area dedicated to cotton cultivation.
In Jalgaon district, the cotton cultivation area stood at 5.67 lakh hectares in 2022; this figure dropped to 5.54 lakh hectares in 2023 and further to 5.11 lakh hectares in 2024. During the previous season (2023-24), this figure remained limited to approximately 4.80 lakh hectares.
Across the entire Khandesh region, the area under cotton cultivation was 8.70 lakh hectares in 2022. This figure declined to 8.50 lakh hectares in 2023 and 8.30 lakh hectares in 2024. This year, cotton sowing is estimated to cover approximately 1.60 lakh hectares in Dhule district and around 80,000 hectares in Nandurbar district. The most significant decline is being recorded in Dhule district.
Cotton Cultivation Becomes a Loss-Making Venture
Cotton cultivation is proving to be increasingly unprofitable for farmers. Issues such as the growing infestation of the Pink Bollworm, a shortage of agricultural labor, and low market prices for cotton have heightened farmers' concerns. Consequently, many farmers in drought-prone areas are now shifting away from cotton and turning towards soybean cultivation instead.
Meanwhile, farmers who possess adequate irrigation facilities are prioritizing cash crops such as papaya and banana. Some farmers have also decided to reduce the area they had previously allocated for cotton cultivation this year. Jalgaon Still Ranks Number One in the State
For several years now, the Jalgaon district has maintained the top position in Maharashtra in terms of cotton cultivation. Even though the area under cotton cultivation in the district is likely to decrease this year, Jalgaon is expected to remain the district with the highest cotton sowing area in the state.
Jalgaon is followed by the Yavatmal district, where cotton is sown annually across an area of approximately 4.5 lakh hectares—or slightly less.
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