HDPS boosts cotton yield in Siddipet, farmers report higher returns despite higher input costs
Cotton farmers in Siddipet, one of the major cotton producing districts of Telangana, are witnessing higher yields and better returns with the adoption of High Density Planting System (HDPS), thanks to the special project on cotton by ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur, which is being implemented from 2023.
Implemented through Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tuniki in Medak district, the project is part of the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and covers rainfed cotton farmers in five states, including Telangana. In Siddipet, 266 farmers adopted HDPS during the 2024 Kharif season.
“Traditionally, farmers in Siddipet cultivate cotton on sandy loam soil under rainfed conditions using the Square Planting System (SPS), maintaining a spacing of 90×90 cm and sowing two seeds per hill, resulting in about 10,000 plants per acre. This greater distance facilitates bullock-drawn two-way hoe, reducing hand weeding,” said Dr Ravi Palitia, Scientist (Plant Protection), ICAR-EGVF (Eklavya Rural Development Foundation), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tunis.
In contrast, HDPS involves sowing one seed per hill at a reduced spacing of 90×15 cm, increasing the number of plants threefold to 30,000 plants per acre. This denser system, despite requiring more seeds and initial inputs, has shown significant gains in yield and cost-efficiency.
“We advise farmers to apply mepiquat chloride, a plant growth regulator (PGR), to manage canopy growth and ensure light and air penetration, thereby reducing pest and disease infestation,” said Ravi Palthia, nodal officer for the special project on cotton. This approach has also facilitated synchronised boll maturation, leading to faster harvesting and timely sowing of rabi crops, he added.
The switch to HDPS increased seed cost from ₹1,728 to ₹5,184 per acre and increased labour expenditure for sowing. However, farmers saved on expenses related to row marking and bullock-drawn hoe, reducing the need for traditional two-way inter-farm operations. Overall, HDPS resulted in an additional expenditure of ₹11,256 per acre, according to an ICAR study.
Despite the increased costs, there was a significant improvement in yield – from 8 quintals to 12 quintals per acre – leading to an increase in income of ₹30,084 per acre. The reduction in harvesting cycles due to uniform boll maturity also helped reduce labour costs during harvesting. Kunta Kista Reddy of Ahmadipur village in Gajwel mandal, who adopted HDPS on two acres, reported better uniformity in plant growth and a 15-20% increase in yield.
“Well-managed canopy and synchronised maturity helped avoid late pest attacks. Though fertiliser and irrigation management required more attention, the system proved to be beneficial,” he said. Chada Sudhakar Reddy of Appalagudem in Markook mandal shared a similar experience. "Initially I was hesitant to use HDPS and machine sowing. But the results were beyond expectations. I used less labour and inputs but harvested more cotton and earned better profits," he said.
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