Rains to adversely affect cotton output in Punjab and Haryana

Intermittent rainfall in Punjab and Haryana in the last few days is likely to adversely affect the the cotton output. According to agriculture officials, the crop in the cotton-growing areas of Bathinda, Muktsar, Mansa, Ferozepur, Moga, Faridkot, Sangrur and Barnala districts in Punjab has been badly affected. Similar is the case in Haryana.

According to analysts, the rain will also affect the quality of the crop as it damaged the cotton flower, leading to a loss in yield. However, exact data regarding the damaged crop is yet to be compiled for both the states. The crop has started arriving in different mandis of the states.

Punjab and Haryana were eyeing a bumper harvest for cotton this year. The two states account for 13-14 per cent of India's total cotton output. The total cotton area in Punjab is around 500,000 hectares in the current season against the targeted 520,000 hectares, which is more or less the same compared to last year. In Haryana, it touched 642,000 hectares, surpassing the target of 600,000 hectares.

An agriculture official said intermittent rains in the first week of September, especially between September 2-4, damaged the cotton crop both in Punjab and Haryana. Besides damage to cotton, it would also delay the picking operations resulting in delay of arrival of cotton in markets. Scientists say rain damage the crop, as bolls on the lower side start rotting. Similarly, in varieties sown earlier where bolls have started opening, it affects the quality of the crop.

Manpreet Singh, a cotton farmer from Bathinda, said his fields were waterlogged due to the torrential rain. Similar is the case in other cotton-growing areas in Punjab such as Bathinda, Muktsar, Mansa, Sangrur and Barnala districts. Heavy rainfall and flooding of the fields will affect the crop yield badly if the flood water does not recede immediately. Agriculture scientists maintained that farmers should immediately drain out the water from the fields.
COTTON CONCERN

• Exact data about the damage has not yet been compiled
• According to analysts, rain will also affect the quality of the crop as it damaged the cotton flower
• Punjab and Haryana were eyeing a bumper cotton harvest this year
• The two states account for 13-14 per cent of India's total cotton output
• An agriculture official said heavy rains in the first week of September has damaged the cotton crop in both the states