Experts Urge Coordinated Action to Revive Declining Cotton Cultivation in Northern India
Alarmed by the steady shrinkage of cotton areas across northern states, experts and policymakers have called for urgent, coordinated action to revive the crop's viability. The concern was voiced at a meeting of the Interstate Consultative and Monitoring Committee on cotton, held at Kheti Bhawan in Bathinda, under the chairmanship of Satbir Singh Gosal, vice-chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana.
Significant Decline in Cotton Acreage
Gosal highlighted a dramatic decline in cotton acreage, noting that it has dropped from over 7 lakh hectares in the 1980s to just 1 lakh hectare in 2024. However, due to efforts by the state government, the acreage has seen a slight increase to 1.19 lakh hectares. The target for this year is set at 1.26 lakh hectares, but Gosal expressed deep concern over the persistent downward trend.
Challenges Facing Cotton Farmers
The decline is attributed to mounting biotic and abiotic stresses, including infestations of pink bollworm, whitefly, and cotton leaf curl virus, exacerbated by erratic weather patterns. These factors have severely impacted crop health and profitability, making cotton farming less attractive to farmers.
Roadmap for the Kharif 2026 Season
Gosal outlined a clear roadmap for the Kharif 2026 season, emphasizing several key strategies:
- Timely Availability of High-Quality Seeds: Ensuring farmers have access to recommended seeds to improve crop yields.
- Subsidies on Bt Cotton: Encouraging adoption of genetically modified cotton varieties to enhance resistance to pests.
- Assured Canal Water Supply: Critical for pre-sowing irrigation to establish a healthy crop stand.
- Balanced Fertilisation: Promoting proper nutrient management to boost productivity.
Call for Stakeholder Coordination
Dr. Gosal urged all stakeholders, including government agencies, agricultural experts, and farmers, to work in close coordination. This collaborative effort is essential to tackle pest pressures effectively and restore the profitability of cotton farming in the region.
The meeting underscored the need for immediate action to address these challenges and ensure the sustainability of cotton cultivation in northern India.
