Increased Cotton Acreage in South May Make Up for Decline in the North
The natural fibre’s acreage is up in Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra pradesh, and Maharashtra due to favorable rains.
Cotton acreage has increased in southern India as farmers in Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh have planted more of the crop. Industry stakeholders believe this growth in the South will help offset the decline in northern states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, where farmers have significantly reduced cotton planting due to pest issues, especially the pink bollworm. A similar reduction in cotton area is expected in Gujarat.
As of July 22, cotton had been planted on 102.05 lakh hectares across the country, down from 105.66 lh during the same period last year. The normal area under cotton is 129 lh. The acreage decrease is mainly due to lower plantings in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab.
In Gujarat, the largest cotton-producing state, the acreage is down to 20.98 lh from 25.39 lh last year. Rajasthan's cotton area has decreased to 4.94 lh from 7.73 lh, while in Punjab, pest issues have halved the area to 1 lh from 2.14 lh. Haryana's cotton acreage is down to 4.76 lh from 6.65 lh.
In the South, Karnataka's cotton area has risen to 6.09 lh as of July 22, up from 2.44 lh last year, thanks to a timely and widespread monsoon. Telangana's acreage has increased to 15.22 lh from 14.13 lh, and Andhra Pradesh's area has grown to 1.60 lh from 1.32 lh. Maharashtra, which has the largest cotton area, saw an increase to 39.69 lh from 38.33 lh last year.
"The decline in North Indian cotton area is being compensated in the South," said Ashish Dobhal, CEO of UPL Sustainable Agri Solutions Ltd. UPL, which previously focused on North India for its spraying services, is now shifting its strategies to the South in response to the reduced acreages in Punjab and Haryana.
"The sowing season has been good, with increased area in the South and positive crop prospects in Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra," said Ramanuj Das Boob, a sourcing agent in Raichur. However, he noted that while rainfall has supported the crop, market prices remain bearish due to global trends and subdued demand.
Bhagirath Chowdhary, Founder Director of the Jodhpur-based South Asia Biotechnology Centre, warned that the significant reduction in cotton area in the North is a wake-up call for the textile industry, particularly in Punjab and Rajasthan. "Except in Vidarbha, Telangana, and Karnataka, cotton crops in other regions like Andhra Pradesh, Marathwada, and Gujarat are under severe moisture stress and vulnerable to pests and diseases. Overall, cotton production next season is expected to decline, widening the demand-supply gap and negatively impacting the textile industry and raw cotton exports," Chowdhary said.
Read More:>India gets 9% more monsoon rain in July after weak June
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