Cotton Acreage Shrinks in North India; Farmers Shift Towards Paddy
Cotton cultivation acreage in North India has declined by approximately 22 percent during the current Kharif season. Experts attribute this shift to farmers' growing preference for paddy cultivation, driven by the assurance of government procurement and the potential for better returns.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, cotton sowing in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan covered approximately 9 lakh hectares this year, down from 11.56 lakh hectares last year. By June 12, the total cotton acreage nationwide stood at 9.53 lakh hectares, compared to 13.19 lakh hectares a year earlier; however, sowing operations are still underway in parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, and Rajasthan.
A state-wise breakdown reveals that cotton acreage in Punjab has dropped from 1.19 lakh hectares to 0.80 lakh hectares. In Haryana, it fell from 3.94 lakh hectares to 2.92 lakh hectares, and in Rajasthan, it decreased from 6.43 lakh hectares to 5.28 lakh hectares. Nevertheless, Atul Ganatra, Chairman of the Crop Committee at the Cotton Association of India (CAI), believes that favorable rainfall in certain parts of Rajasthan could stabilize cotton acreage or even lead to a 3–4 percent increase.
Experts observe that cotton farming is becoming increasingly risky for farmers. Bhagirath Choudhary, Founder-Director of the South Asia Biotechnology Centre, notes that the rising menace of the pink bollworm, weather uncertainties, and market prices consistently remaining below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) are eroding farmers' confidence. Conversely, the guaranteed procurement and prospect of higher profits associated with paddy cultivation are attracting farmers.
According to Dilip Monga, former head of the Central Institute for Cotton Research, cotton acreage in North India has been steadily declining for several years. Adverse weather conditions, pest pressure, and the superior economic returns offered by other crops are driving farmers away from cotton cultivation. This is the reason why paddy has gained an edge over cotton this season as well.
