India's cotton output may suffer due to lower acreage & heavy rains

According to trade sources, at least 10 per cent of the cotton crop has been damaged due to heavy rains in Gujarat, which is one of the major producing states. A similar situation was reported in other states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and other southern and central states. Traders estimated crop damage of 10-15 per cent in the affected states.

Farm-level reports suggested that cotton plants fell due to heavy rains. A few districts and blocks have seen severe damage of 50 to 70 per cent in several fields. Farmers from these states have complained about crop damage. Cotton plants have been flattened, and where the plants remained standing, the cotton bolls fell off. Several plants decomposed due to waterlogging in the fields. Farmers are advised to drain rainwater from the fields immediately.

Traders said that crop damage could be fully ascertained in October when the monsoon rains are over. However, initial reports of crop damage cannot be ignored. Central and southern states are the main cotton-producing areas in the country. These areas have recorded excessive rain in the last two months.

Severe losses due to heavy rains are another blow for India’s cotton production after the shortfall in acreage this season. According to the Indian Ministry of Agriculture, cotton acreage decreased by 11.37 per cent to 111.74 lakh hectares as of August 30, 2024. Last year, cotton was sown on 123.11 lakh hectares in the same period. The average cotton acreage was 129.34 lakh hectares over the last five years. Lower acreage and crop damage will impact India’s cotton production this season.

According to the Cotton Association of India (CAI), the country’s cotton production was estimated to be 313.63 lakh bales of 170 kg as of July 31, 2024. The Ministry of Agriculture has estimated production at 325.22 lakh bales. The production was estimated at 336.60 lakh bales in 2022-23, 311.18 lakh bales in 2021-22, 352.48 lakh bales in 2020-21, 360.65 lakh bales in 2019-20, and 280.42 lakh bales in 2018-19.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)