Cotton sowing area in North India unlikely to improve after sharp decline
2025-06-04 17:33:16
Cotton Sowing Sees No Rebound in North India
Despite a sharp decline in sowing area last year, cotton sowing area in North India is unlikely to improve in the new season. Trade sources said cotton acreage in Punjab may increase by about 25-30 per cent, but cotton acreage in Haryana and Rajasthan may decline further due to lack of water for irrigation. Market experts said the assured returns from wheat and paddy due to government procurement have discouraged cotton cultivation in North Indian states.
According to market sources, about 60-70 per cent of cotton sowing had been completed in North India by the end of May. Sowing is expected to be completed in the next one to two weeks. There are indications that farmers in Haryana and Rajasthan are facing a severe water crisis for irrigation. Cotton sowing in North India mostly depends on canal water, but both states are not getting adequate supply to meet the growing demand.
Sources said the area under cotton cultivation in Punjab could rise by about 30 per cent to 1.25 lakh hectares in the 2025-26 season. However, sowing could fall by 20-25 per cent in Haryana and 25-30 per cent in Rajasthan. According to official data, all three states witnessed a sharp decline in cotton acreage last year, falling to 10.955 lakh hectares.
There are indications that the total cotton sowing area in north India could fall further to below 10 lakh hectares in the new season. Sources said farmers in these states are opting for the safer option of paddy cultivation during the kharif season, as the government is committed to buying paddy and wheat (during the rabi season) at the minimum support price. The current procurement policy has disillusioned farmers from growing cotton.
Historical data on cotton sowing also supports this trend. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the cotton sowing area of North India was 15.620 lakh hectares in 2023-24. It decreased to 10.955 lakh hectares in 2024-25. The cotton area of Punjab decreased from 2.140 lakh hectares to 1 lakh hectares in 2023-24. The area in Haryana decreased from 6.650 lakh hectares and 6.830 lakh hectares in Rajasthan to 4.760 lakh hectares and 5.195 lakh hectares in Rajasthan.
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) recently said that the cotton production of North India declined to 27.50 lakh bales (each 170 kg) in the current season from 45.62 lakh bales in the last season. The production estimates for the current season are as follows: Punjab – 1.50 lakh bales, Haryana – 7.80 lakh bales, Upper Rajasthan – 9.60 lakh bales and Lower Rajasthan – 8.60 lakh bales. In comparison, the production of last season was as follows: Punjab – 3.65 lakh bales, Haryana – 13.30 lakh bales, Upper Rajasthan – 15.47 lakh bales, and Lower Rajasthan – 13.20 lakh bales.
