Cotton planting in North India is expected to remain stagnant this season, even after a significant reduction in acreage last year. According to trade sources, while cotton farming in Punjab might see a recovery of about 25-30%, Haryana and Rajasthan are anticipated to experience further declines due to water shortages for irrigation. Market analysts believe that the guaranteed profits from wheat and paddy, bolstered by government procurement programs, are deterring farmers from pursuing cotton cultivation in these northern states.
By the end of May, approximately 60-70% of cotton sowing had been completed in North India, with the remainder expected to finish within the next week or two. Farmers in Haryana and Rajasthan are reportedly experiencing severe irrigation water shortages, which is crucial for cotton sowing that largely depends on canal water. Unfortunately, both states are not receiving enough water to satisfy the increasing demand.
Sources indicate that the cotton sowing area in Punjab may increase by nearly 30%, reaching around 1.25 lakh hectares for the 2025-26 season. Conversely, cotton planting may decrease by 20-25% in Haryana and 25-30% in Rajasthan. Official figures show a notable decrease in cotton acreage across all three states last year, dropping to 10.955 lakh hectares.
There are concerns that the total cotton sowing area in North India could decline further, potentially falling below 10 lakh hectares this season. Farmers in these regions are increasingly opting for paddy cultivation during the Kharif season, as the government is committed to procuring paddy and wheat at minimum support prices, leading to disillusionment with cotton farming.
Historical data from the Ministry of Agriculture reflects this trend, showing that the cotton sowing area in North India was 15.620 lakh hectares for the 2023-24 season but dropped to 10.955 lakh hectares for 2024-25. Specifically, Punjab’s cotton acreage fell from 2.140 lakh hectares to 1 lakh hectare, while Haryana’s declined from 6.650 lakh hectares to 4.760 lakh hectares, and Rajasthan’s dropped from 6.830 lakh hectares to 5.195 lakh hectares.
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) reported that cotton production in North India has decreased to 27.50 lakh bales (each weighing 170 kg) this season, down from 45.62 lakh bales last year. The current production estimates are: Punjab – 1.50 lakh bales, Haryana – 7.80 lakh bales, upper Rajasthan – 9.60 lakh bales, and lower Rajasthan – 8.60 lakh bales. In contrast, last season’s outputs were: Punjab – 3.65 lakh bales, Haryana – 13.30 lakh bales, upper Rajasthan – 15.47 lakh bales, and lower Rajasthan – 13.20 lakh bales.
