Cotton Cultivation Covers Only 40,000 Hectares in Punjab

16-May-2026 12:36 PM

Bathinda. Cotton cultivation in Punjab is typically undertaken early, with the period between April 20 and May 15 considered the ideal window for sowing. The figures that have emerged following the conclusion of this ideal period are extremely disheartening.

According to data from the State Agriculture Department, the total area under cotton cultivation in Punjab this year has reached a mere 40,402 hectares—representing just 32 percent of the set target of 125,000 hectares. This sends a clear signal that farmers' enthusiasm for, and interest in, cotton cultivation within the state has declined significantly.

While cotton sowing in Punjab does continue even after the ideal period—lingering more or less until the end of May, and occasionally into the first week of June—agricultural experts warn that crops sown after May 20 face a severe risk of adverse weather conditions and pest or disease outbreaks later on, resulting in a substantial reduction in yield rates. Given the current scenario, it appears that—even factoring in late sowing—the total area under cotton cultivation in Punjab will fall significantly short of the designated target.

According to the Agriculture Department, the delay in cotton sowing this time was primarily due to the late commencement of wheat harvesting and field preparation activities; nevertheless, the department remains hopeful that the total cultivated area could still approach the set target by the end of May.

This year, the area dedicated to the sowing of *Desi* (indigenous) or traditional cotton varieties is also expected to reach approximately 10,000 hectares. In Punjab, during the 2024-25 season, the total area under cotton cultivation had—for the first time—dipped below the 100,000-hectare mark, falling to 99,700 hectares; however, it subsequently recovered to reach 119,000 hectares in the 2025-26 season. This time around, the situation appears to be even more dire.