Cotton acreage in India likely to rise in 2026 on price recovery and El Niño outlook
31-Mar-2026 10:41 AM
Cotton acreage in India likely to rise in 2026 on price recovery and El Niño outlook
★ India’s cotton acreage in the 2026 kharif season is expected to increase by 10–20%, driven by stronger domestic prices, improving global demand, and the possibility of an El Niño, which may lead to below-normal rainfall.
★ Seed placement has already begun in North India (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan), with sowing set to start soon.
★ Farmers received prices above the MSP of ₹8,100 this year; if MSP rises to around ₹8,600, acreage could expand further.
★ In Maharashtra, the use of HTBT seeds has boosted yields, strengthening farmer interest in cotton.
★ In a weak monsoon scenario, farmers may shift from water-intensive crops like paddy to cotton, which requires less water.
★ However, according to FSII, acreage is likely to remain at least around last year’s level of 110 lakh hectares.
★ Meanwhile, cotton acreage in major producers like the US and Australia is expected to decline due to rising cultivation costs and weaker returns.