Cotton area likely to surge in Punjab, Haryana

Favourable weather and better prices are likely to result in a surge in the area under cotton in Punjab and Haryana.

According to officials, cotton area in these two north Indian states is likely to increase by 15-20 per cent. Cotton sowing in Punjab and Haryana normally commences from last week of April.

According to the officials in Haryana, this year the target for cotton area in Haryana is 550,000 hectares as against 492,000 hectares last year. Since the last few years, the target for cotton area in Haryana has been kept at 600,000 hectare irrespective of the fact that Haryana has crossed the 600,000-mark only once in the late 1990s. This year, the target has been revised to 550,000 hectares.

However, the officials this time maintain that area under cotton is likely to exceed the target owing to combination of factors.

Last year, the area under cotton had remained subdued owing to prolonged dry spell. The prolonged dry spell, forced farmers to scout for irrigation facilities but the underground water quality posed another threat. However, rainfall conditions has improved since last monsoon and near normal monsoon is predicted for this year as well by the meteorological department.

Also, farmers in Punjab and Haryana last year got better remunerations for the cotton crop. According to officials, the prices for cotton had seen a 100 per cent jump with cotton fetching prices as high as Rs 7,000 per quintal to the farmers.

The officials expect with higher remunerations for cotton growers farmers in both the state are likely to gain on account of some area under paddy also moving under cotton.

Similarly, Punjab that achieved a target of 483,000 hectares last year is targeting 520,000 hectares area this year.

However, the state agriculture officials believe the area could exceed the target.