Signs of reduction in cotton sowing area in northern states and increase in southern India

01-Aug-2024 01:30 PM

New Delhi. In comparison to last year, during the current Kharif season, cotton production area has reduced in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat, whereas it has increased in Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

According to industry analysts, the decline in cotton sowing area in northern states may be partially compensated by the increase in southern India, but despite this, its total area at the national level may lag behind last year.

According to official data, till July 26, in the current Kharif season, the total production area of ​​cotton could reach 105.73 lakh hectares, which was about 8 lakh hectares behind the sowing area of ​​113.54 lakh hectares during the same period last year and about 23 lakh hectares behind the general average area of ​​129 lakh hectares.

According to the data till 22nd July, compared to last year, the area under cotton production during the current Kharif season has decreased from 25.40 lakh hectares to 21 lakh hectares in Gujarat,

from 2.14 lakh hectares to 1 lakh hectare in Punjab, from 6.65 lakh hectares to 4.76 lakh hectares in Haryana and from 7.73 lakh hectares to 4.94 lakh hectares in Rajasthan.

On the other hand, the area under cotton cultivation in South India has jumped from 2.44 lakh hectares to 6.09 lakh hectares in Karnataka, improved from 14.13 lakh hectares to 15.22 lakh hectares in Telangana and increased from 1.32 lakh hectares to 1.60 lakh hectares in Andhra Pradesh.

In Maharashtra too, the area has increased from 38.33 lakh hectares to 39.69 lakh hectares. Although Gujarat is the largest producer of cotton, Maharashtra has the largest area under cotton cultivation.

Telangana is at number three. In the 2023-24 season, cotton production in Maharashtra had increased to a level very close to that of Gujarat.