The decline of **.** lakh hectares year on year marks one of the weakest sowing performances in recent years, reflecting the impact of delayed rainfall and insufficient soil moisture during the critical planting window.
The lower acreage has heightened concerns over India**;s cotton output for the ****–** season. The country had already witnessed an eight-year low in cotton production during ****–**. According to the Ministry**;s Third Advance Estimates, cotton production declined to ***.** lakh bales of *** kg each, compared with ***.** lakh bales in ****–**. The ****–** estimate is the lowest since ****–**, when production stood at ***.** lakh bales.
Industry participants said delayed monsoon onset and below-normal rainfall in several cotton-growing regions discouraged timely sowing, while some farmers shifted to alternative crops where planting conditions were more favourable. They noted that unless rainfall improves quickly enough to support late sowing and crop development, the reduced acreage could translate into another year of lower cotton production.
