Cotton acreage trails last year's figures by one lakh hectares

14-Sep-2026 01:41 PM

New Delhi: Due to steady improvements in sowing across major producing states—such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka—the national cotton cultivation area has now reached 109.34 lakh hectares.

This is 97,000 hectares less than the 110.31 lakh hectares recorded during the same period last year. Initially, total cotton acreage had seen a sharp decline due to reduced sowing in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan; at that time, cultivation areas in top-producing states like Gujarat and Maharashtra were also lagging significantly.

Deficient rainfall in South India poses a threat to the cotton crop, whereas the crop condition in other producing states appears largely satisfactory. Madhya Pradesh has received good rainfall. However, in the Nashik division of Maharashtra, scanty and erratic rainfall has not only reduced cotton sowing but has also left the crop in a less-than-promising state.

Harvesting of early-sown cotton crops has commenced in some states, with the pace expected to pick up across all producing regions starting next month. Cotton imports will remain duty-free until October 31, 2026.