North India's cotton sowing area unlikely to recover after major drop

Around 60–70 per cent of cotton sowing was completed by the end of May in north India, according to market sources. The sowing work is expected to finish in the next one or two weeks. There are indications that farmers in Haryana and Rajasthan are facing an acute water crisis for irrigation. Cotton sowing in north India mostly depends on canal water, but both states are not receiving adequate supplies to meet the growing demand.

Sources said that cotton sowing area in Punjab may increase by nearly 30 per cent to reach 1.25 lakh hectares in the 2025–26 season. However, sowing may decline by 20–25 per cent in Haryana and 25–30 per cent in Rajasthan. All three states recorded a sharp fall in cotton acreage last year, dropping to 10.955 lakh hectares, according to official figures.

There are indications that north India's total cotton sowing area may decline further and fall below 10 lakh hectares in the new season. Sources noted that farmers in these states are opting for the safer option of paddy cultivation during the Kharif season, as the government remains committed to procuring paddy and wheat (during the Rabi season) at the minimum support price. The current procurement policy has disillusioned farmers from growing cotton.

Historical cotton sowing data also supports this trend. North India's cotton sowing area was 15.620 lakh hectares in 2023–24, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. It declined to 10.955 lakh hectares in 2024–25. Punjab’s cotton area reduced to 1 lakh hectare from 2.140 lakh hectares in 2023–24. The area dropped to 4.760 lakh hectares in Haryana and to 5.195 lakh hectares in Rajasthan, from 6.650 lakh hectares and 6.830 lakh hectares respectively.

The Cotton Association of India (CAI) recently stated that north India’s cotton output fell to 27.50 lakh bales (170 kg each) in the current season, down from 45.62 lakh bales last season. Production estimates for the current season 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 comparison, last season's output were: Punjab – 3.65 lakh bales, Haryana – 13.30 lakh bales, upper Rajasthan – 15.47 lakh bales, and lower Rajasthan – 13.20 lakh bales.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)