Drop of approximately 1.6 million hectares in cotton sowing area

30-Jun-2026 01:05 PM

New Delhi. Following a decline in sowing areas across northern states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, there were expectations of increased cotton cultivation in top-producing states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana—driven by the government's significant hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, due to unfavorable weather and monsoon conditions, cotton sowing performance across nearly all states has been disappointing.

According to official data, the total cotton sowing area for the current Kharif season stood at only 2.966 million hectares as of June 25; this is 1.57 million hectares less than the 4.536 million hectares recorded during the same period last year.

While sowing conditions are relatively better in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are still awaiting rainfall. The pace of sowing may pick up in the coming period.

Although the Cotton Association of India had projected a substantial increase in cotton acreage this year compared to the last, the current trend reflects a sharp decline.