There is a strong possibility of reduction in cotton production due to huge reduction in sowing area

03-Sep-2024 05:06 PM

Ahmedabad. Cotton is one of the few agricultural products which have seen the biggest decline in sowing during the current Kharif season as compared to last year. Its production area has come down by 11.37 lakh hectares from 123.11 lakh hectares in 2023 to 111.74 lakh hectares in 2024.

The sowing of the crop is almost over and the preparation of the new stock of cotton is going to start in the next few weeks.

In the northern region states - Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, early sowing of Narma cotton is done in April-May, so the new stock of cotton also starts coming relatively earlier there.

Due to the market price not being attractive and the possibility of severe outbreak of insects and diseases, this time the farmers of the northern states showed less interest in cotton cultivation, due to which its area decreased significantly in all the three states.

Similarly, in the most important producer state Gujarat, there has been a huge decline of about 3 lakh hectares in the cotton sowing area.

Apart from this, cotton sowing in Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh also lagged behind last year. On the other hand, its area has increased somewhat in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.

Generally, the cotton crop is being reported to be in good condition in the major producing states, but there are also reports of damage to the crop due to heavy rains and waterlogging in the fields in many areas. As a result, there is a strong possibility of a decline in cotton production.

The price of cotton has now started improving slowly, while it may increase further due to strong demand from Bangladesh.