Cotton Cultivation Area Projected to Exceed 130 Lakh Hectares

10-Jun-2026 04:41 PM

Hyderabad: Cotton cultivation area at the national level is projected to increase by approximately 15 percent during the current Kharif season compared to last year. This is attributed to favorable weather and monsoon conditions, as well as a significant hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton announced by the government. When market prices fall, the government agency—Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)—procures large quantities of cotton from farmers in major producing states at the MSP, thereby providing relief to growers.

Last year, the domestic cotton cultivation area had dropped to 114.82 lakh hectares, but this year it is expected to rise above 130 lakh hectares. For the 2026-27 season, the MSP for cotton has been raised by ₹557, setting the rate at ₹8,267 per quintal for the medium-staple category and ₹8,667 per quintal for long-staple varieties. These rates are considered remunerative for farmers.

Compared to the previous year, cotton cultivation area is likely to increase in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan during the current Kharif season, whereas the acreage has declined significantly in Punjab and Haryana. The cultivation area in Odisha is expected to remain normal.