Punjab Cotton Production Faces Steep Decline as Acreage Hits Record Low
By 2024-06-07 11:28:31
Punjab's Cotton Production Is Declining Sharply as Acreage Drops to All-Time Low
Cotton cultivation in Punjab has hit a historic low, with only 96,614 hectares sown this year, a sharp decline from 1.79 lakh hectares last year, marking a 46% drop. Despite setting a lower target of 2 lakh hectares for cotton, the Punjab agriculture department failed to meet it.
The main cotton-growing districts—Fazilka, Muktsar, Bathinda, and Mansa—have all seen significant reductions in cotton acreage. For instance, Fazilka's cotton area fell from 92,000 to 50,341 hectares.
Several factors contribute to this decline, including pest infestations, spurious seeds, and inadequate procurement by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). Farmers often have to sell their cotton below the Minimum Support Price (MSP), with the CCI buying minimal quantities.
Many farmers, disillusioned by poor returns and pest attacks, are shifting to paddy cultivation. The Punjab government’s crop diversification efforts seem to have faltered, with an increasing number of farmers now favoring paddy over cotton.
Agriculture officials acknowledge the challenges but emphasize that economic viability ultimately drives farmers' choices. Despite advisories to promote cotton sowing, the persistent issues with MSP and climate conditions have made cotton a less attractive option for Punjab’s farmers.
