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Punjab Cotton Sowing Hits Record Low, Water Crisis Looms
4 Jun
Summary
- Cotton sowing in Punjab is at its lowest ever, reaching only 56% of the target.
- Farmers cite repeated losses from adverse weather and pests for reluctance.
- Reduced cotton acreage will increase pressure on Punjab's water resources.
Cotton cultivation in Punjab has hit an all-time low for the 2026-27 kharif season, with only 56% of the 1.25 lakh hectares target achieved so far. Reports indicate that approximately 70,000 hectares have been sown with cotton.
Fazilka district leads in cotton cultivation, followed by Bathinda, Mansa, and Muktsar. Agriculture officials anticipate only a slight increase in final sowing figures. Farmers' reluctance stems from five consecutive seasons of poor returns, compounded by adverse weather and pest infestations.
This downturn in cotton farming is projected to exacerbate Punjab's water scarcity. As cotton requires less water than paddy, a reduction in its cultivation is expected to drive more farmers towards planting paddy, which is significantly more water-intensive.
The state government's efforts to promote crop diversification and reduce paddy acreage face a setback. Historical data shows a dramatic decrease in cotton cultivation over the past decade, with the area shrinking from over 3 lakh hectares before 2016 to just 1.19 lakh hectares in 2025.
