The state's agricultural sector has faced significant challenges in achieving its goal of bringing 300,000 hectares of land under cotton cultivation. Adverse weather conditions and the prospect of lower profits compared to paddy have hindered farmers' efforts. The primary districts involved in cotton production are Fazilka, Bathinda, Mansa, and Muktsar.
As of May 31, when the sowing season concluded, approximately 175,000 hectares (58 percent of the target) had been sown with the cotton crop. This falls short of last year's achievement of 248,000 hectares against a 400,000-hectare target.
A senior official from the Agriculture Department mentioned that initially, May 20 was set as the deadline for cotton sowing, but it was extended to May 31. They also stated that this year, around 175,000 hectares of cotton cultivation had been achieved, with Fazilka being the only district that showed better performance.
Jangir Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer of Fazilka, stated that more than half of the land dedicated to cotton cultivation is in Fazilka district. They managed to sow the crop on 90,850 hectares, which is close to their target of 150,000 hectares. Singh attributed the success to the timely availability of canal water, which greatly supported the farmers.
Singh further added that the 33 percent subsidy on cotton seeds played a crucial role this year. Despite unfavorable weather conditions, they succeeded in maximizing the land allocated for cotton cultivation. Farmers revealed that they refrained from sowing cotton last year despite it fetching higher prices than the minimum support price. This was due to infestations of whitefly and pink bollworm. Gurdeep Singh, a cotton grower, expressed that the majority of farmers are unaware of the latest methods for mitigating damage caused by these pests. Additionally, the weather has been unfavorable, leading some farmers to replant the crop. He mentioned that the input costs have escalated significantly.
Gurpreet Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer of Muktsar, explained that in Muktsar district, cotton has been sown on nearly 20,000 hectares, falling short of the target of 50,000 hectares. Several factors, including rainfall and pest attacks, have contributed to this situation.
He continued by stating that farmers are opting for the paddy crop due to its high yield and late-sown varieties. Last year, cotton yield per acre averaged between four to six quintals, with prices ranging from Rs 7,500 to Rs 8,000 per quintal. In contrast, paddy yield reached 30 quintals per acre, with a minimum support price of Rs 2,060 per quintal.
The challenges faced by the agricultural sector in meeting cotton cultivation targets are multifaceted. Weather conditions, pest infestations, lack of awareness about damage control methods, and the comparative profitability of alternative crops have contributed to this setback. It is crucial for the state's authorities to work closely with farmers, providing support, education, and incentives to encourage cotton cultivation in the future.
