Cotton has been sown on 38.4 lakh hectares this year, against a five-year average of 42.5 lakh hectares
Cotton Acreage Declines in Maharashtra Due to Delayed Monsoon
In Maharashtra, cotton planting has decreased by nearly 10% this kharif season, attributed to a delayed monsoon. The state’s agriculture department reports that cotton has been sown on 38.4 lakh hectares this year, compared to a five-year average of 42.5 lakh hectares, marking a decline of approximately 4 lakh hectares.
The Nashik division has been particularly affected, experiencing a drop of over 24% in cotton acreage. This division, which includes Jalgaon, Dhule, Nandurbar, and Nashik districts, has recorded sowing on 7.48 lakh hectares against an average of 9.30 lakh hectares, a reduction of around 1.82 lakh hectares.
Agriculture officials noted that the region’s stable acreage is due to improved rainfall distribution during the sowing period. However, farmers are now expressing concern about crop growth, as many cotton-growing areas have faced a prolonged dry spell in the last two weeks.
Urgent Rainfall Needed for Cotton Crop Survival in Dhule
Laxman Patil, a farmer from Dhule district, has expressed urgent concerns about his cotton crop, which he has planted on three acres. Recent inadequate rainfall has raised alarms about the crop’s viability. Patil stated, ‘We need good rainfall immediately. If the dry spell continues, the crop will be affected and yields could decline significantly.’ He emphasized the necessity for a fresh spell of rain within the next few days to ensure the crop’s survival.