Cotton acreage in North India has shrunk by about 22% this kharif season as farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan increasingly opt for paddy, attracted by assured procurement and higher returns. According to Agriculture Ministry data cited by The Hindu BusinessLine, cotton has been planted on approximately 9 lakh hectares (lh) in the North Zone this year, down from 11.56 lh a year ago.
State-wise acreage decline
State-level data as of June 11 shows sharp reductions: Punjab cotton area fell to 0.80 lh from 1.19 lh last year; Haryana dropped to 2.92 lh from 3.94 lh; and Rajasthan decreased to 5.28 lh from 6.43 lh. Nationally, total cotton acreage stood at 9.53 lh as of June 12, a 28% decline from 13.19 lh a year ago. Cotton sowing in North India normally runs from mid-April to late May and is largely complete for this season.
Despite the reductions, Atul Ganatra, Chairman of the Crop Committee of the Cotton Association of India (CAI), noted that sowing is still ongoing in lower and upper Rajasthan. Receiving rains in parts of the state could maintain or even increase area by 3–4%, he said.
Drivers: paddy preference, pest pressure, weather woes
Bhagirath Chaudhary, Founder Director of the South Asia Biotechnology Centre in Jodhpur, explained the underlying causes: “Farmers across North cotton zone are increasingly shifting to paddy because it offers greater income security through assured procurement and better returns, particularly after last year’s favourable rice harvest. In contrast, cotton is now perceived as a high-risk crop due to severe pink bollworm infestation, weather-related uncertainties and prolonged market prices below the MSP.”
Chaudhary added that delayed paddy transplantation has created a window for short-duration summer crops such as maize and moong, enhancing cropping intensity. Cotton, on the other hand, has suffered prolonged heat stress during April and May, with late-sown fields experiencing wilting, root rot, and poor establishment.
Dilip Monga, former head of the Central Institute of Cotton Research’s regional research station in Sirsa, highlighted a multi-year trend: “The area in North Zone has been on a continuous decline over the past few years.” He pointed to pink bollworm issues, erratic weather including excess rain in August-September last year that hurt productivity, and high temperatures during the planting season, alongside better returns from competing crops like paddy.
MSP increase and outlook
For the 2026-27 marketing season, the Centre has raised the minimum support price (MSP) by ₹557 per quintal, setting it at ₹8,267 for medium staple cotton and ₹8,667 for long staple. However, market prices have remained below MSP, further eroding grower confidence.
| State | Acreage 2026-27 (lh) | Acreage 2025-26 (lh) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab | 0.80 | 1.19 | –32.8% |
| Haryana | 2.92 | 3.94 | –25.9% |
| Rajasthan | 5.28 | 6.43 | –17.9% |
| North Zone total | 9.00 | 11.56 | –22.1% |
With planting ongoing in Rajasthan and late-season rains forecast, the final cotton area in the North Zone may narrow slightly from the current estimate. However, the structural shift toward paddy, combined with persistent pest and weather risks, suggests the long-term decline in cotton acreage across India’s northern belt is likely to continue. Traders and procurement teams should monitor the progress of the southwest monsoon and upcoming USDA and CAI crop estimates for further signals on supply.
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