Maharashtra: Cotton Cultivation in Khandesh: Pre-season cotton cultivation begins in Khandesh
Jalgaon: Pre-season or horticultural cotton cultivation has begun in Khandesh at the end of May. Cotton has sprouted in some areas. However, the agriculture department has also appealed to avoid dry land cotton cultivation until there is good rain.
There is less response to pre-season or horticultural cotton cultivation in Khandesh this year. Cotton crop is proving to be loss-making and less profitable. Cotton crop is bearing the brunt of the shortage of labourers. Because cotton has to be sprayed three to four times and weed control has to be done three to four times. On the other hand, cotton harvesting starts during the festivals of Dussehra and Diwali.
Cotton season begins in the fields during the festival season and workers have to bear the brunt of the shortage. Wage rates increase. Due to all these reasons, the area under cotton has reduced significantly in Khandesh in the last two years. In Jalgaon district alone, cultivation of 50 thousand hectares has reduced in the last season.
The situation is the same this year as well. Many cotton growers have planned to sow soybean, maize in black soil and later grow gram and other Rabi crops in it. But cotton cultivation is going on in light, medium soil. The concerned farmers are cultivating cotton on drip irrigation and later plan to grow maize and other crops in it.
More cultivation along Satpura
Pre-season cotton cultivation is being seen along the Aner river along with the Tapi river in Khandesh. This cultivation has been done in the last three-four days. Pre-season cultivation has also been done in Raver, Yaval, Chopra of Jalgaon district as well as Jamner, Amalner, Parola, Shirpur, Dhule, Taloda and Shahada of Nandurbar. This cultivation is also going on. Cultivation will gain momentum this week. Cultivation will be done before the onset of monsoon rains. It is said that the expected plantation will be done in many areas by June 10.
