Signs of increase in cotton sowing in major producing states

02-Jul-2025 08:22 PM

New Delhi. Due to a strong increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and favourable weather and monsoon conditions, farmers in major cotton-producing states are showing increased interest in sowing cotton during the current Kharif season, indicating a rise in its acreage. These states include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Karnataka.

Although domestic market prices of cotton remained below the MSP despite a drop in production during the 2024–25 marketing season (October–September), the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), an agency under the Union Ministry of Textiles,

stepped in to support farmers. CCI purchased about 100 lakh bales (170 kg each) of cotton at MSP, preventing significant farmer losses.

Compared to last year, the cotton sowing area till June 30 has increased from 12.73 lakh hectares to 14.00 lakh hectares in Gujarat, from 3.75 lakh hectares to 4.67 lakh hectares in Karnataka, and from 4.31 lakh hectares to 5.89 lakh hectares in Rajasthan.

However, in Maharashtra, the cotton area reached 25.57 lakh hectares, which is still 2.07 lakh hectares less than the 27.64 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year.

The Central Government has raised the MSP of cotton for the 2025–26 season. For the medium staple category, the MSP increased by Rs 589 from Rs 7121 to Rs 7710 per quintal, and for long staple varieties, it increased by Rs 587 from Rs 7521 to Rs 8110 per quintal.

Farmers are confident that if market prices fall below MSP in the next marketing season, government procurement through CCI will once again offer strong support.