Punjab Aims To Revive Cotton Cultivation Amid Declining Acreage
As the cotton sowing season approaches in April, Punjab faces challenges in reviving cotton cultivation amid a steady decline in acreage. Despite efforts to encourage farmers to return to cotton farming, no concrete plan has been introduced to diversify the state’s kharif crop.
Cotton acreage in Punjab has been decreasing since 2021-22, reaching an all-time low of 95,000 hectares in 2024. The government aims to expand cotton cultivation to 1.5 lakh hectares in the 2025-26 season, acknowledging the impact of rising input costs and pest attacks that have deterred farmers in recent years.
The absence of a dedicated incentive plan has contributed to the continued shift of farmers in the semi-arid districts of the south Malwa region towards water-intensive rice cultivation. To address irrigation concerns, efforts are underway to ensure the timely supply of canal water during the summer. The subsidy on cotton seeds is also expected to continue, along with annual weed removal and safe disposal of cotton straws in cotton-growing districts.
Cotton sowing will commence after the rabi crop harvest of wheat and mustard in April, with experts recommending completion by May 15. Data reveals a consistent decline in cotton acreage, from 2.52 lakh hectares in 2021 to 2.48 lakh hectares in 2022, 1.73 lakh hectares in 2023, and 95,000 hectares in 2024.
Punjab had recorded a bumper cotton production of approximately 50 lakh quintals in 2020. However, pest infestations, adverse climatic conditions and irrigation issues over the past four years have led to a significant reduction in cotton cultivation, particularly in the southwestern belt of the state.
Farmers who had shifted to paddy cultivation due to irrigation availability are now reconsidering cotton farming, especially after facing procurement challenges in the paddy sector in 2024. Timely availability of seeds and improved irrigation infrastructure are expected to play a crucial role in regaining cotton acreage in the coming season.
