Cotton Sowing Picks Up Pace in Nashik Division; Planting Completed Across 1.5 Lakh Hectares
Nashik: With the revival of the monsoon, Kharif season activities have gained momentum in the Nashik division. Farmers have accelerated cotton sowing following good rainfall over the past three to four days. This has brought significant relief to farmers who had been waiting for adequate rain to begin sowing their Kharif crops.
According to Agriculture Department data, cotton sowing has been completed across approximately 1.5 lakh hectares in the Nashik division so far. This represents nearly 14 percent of the 10.9 lakh hectare target set for cotton this year. Officials state that recent rains have ensured sufficient soil moisture, allowing sowing operations in the fields to progress rapidly.
Among the districts in the division, Jalgaon leads in cotton sowing, with planting completed on 83,753 hectares so far. This is followed by Dhule with 45,227 hectares and Ahilyanagar with 8,830 hectares. Sowing operations are also underway in Nashik and Nandurbar districts, with expectations of further acceleration if weather conditions remain favorable.
Cotton is considered a major Kharif crop in the Nashik division. It accounts for approximately 45 percent of the total sown area, and around 20 lakh farmers are directly involved in its cultivation. In addition to cotton, crops such as maize, soybean, moong (green gram), urad (black gram), pearl millet (bajra), arhar (tur/pigeon pea), and paddy are also cultivated in the region.
According to Agriculture Department estimates, cotton cultivation this season will cover 5.5 lakh hectares in Jalgaon, 2.2 lakh hectares in Dhule, 1.6 lakh hectares in Ahilyanagar, 1.3 lakh hectares in Nandurbar, and approximately 39,000 hectares in Nashik. Although the sowing season has got off to a positive start, agricultural officials have advised farmers to exercise caution. They recommend proceeding with sowing only when there is a likelihood of sustained soil moisture, ensuring better seed germination.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'Yellow Alert' for Nashik and forecast light to moderate rainfall in the coming days. According to the weather department, there is also a possibility of rain in Jalgaon, Dhule, and Nandurbar until Sunday. Persistent rainfall and a drop in temperatures have created favorable conditions for farming. Farmers are hopeful that this active monsoon phase will provide a strong foundation for the Kharif season.
