Farmers shifting interest from cotton to maize in Central India

17-Apr-2025 01:36 PM

Nagpur. In the upcoming Kharif season, farmers in key cotton-producing states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh are expected to reduce their focus on cotton and increase maize cultivation instead.

Industry estimates suggest a nearly 10% drop in cotton acreage due to stagnant yields and low market prices, which have caused financial strain for farmers.

The President of the Cotton Association of India said that cotton sowing could decline further in Maharashtra and Gujarat, continuing the downward trend seen last year.

Farmers in Gujarat may switch to groundnut cultivation, while those in Maharashtra are likely to favor maize.

Cotton’s average yield remains low at around 435 kg per hectare, making it a less profitable option.

With cotton prices often below the government’s minimum support price (MSP), the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has had to intervene, purchasing nearly 100 lakh bales this season to support farmers.

Although cotton sowing has begun in northern states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, the area under cultivation in Punjab may shrink again, while some increase is possible in Haryana and Rajasthan.

Experts believe that due to economic uncertainty and poor returns, many farmers are turning to other crops like maize, which offer more stability and better prospects.