Cotton sowing in the state of Punjab has reached its lowest-ever level. Against a target of 1.25 lakh hectares for the 2026-27 kharif season, only 70,000 hectares have been brought under cotton cultivation so far, achieving just 56% of the intended coverage.
In 2025-26, cotton was cultivated on approximately 1.19 lakh hectares in Punjab. However, widespread crop losses due to unseasonal rainfall severely impacted production and farmer incomes.
According to data compiled by the state agriculture department till June 2, Fazilka district has emerged as the leading cotton-growing district with nearly 40,000 hectares under cultivation. It is followed by Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar districts, each recording around 10,000 hectares under the crop.
“Agriculture officials said the final sowing figures would become clear after June 15, the deadline for farmers to register for the 33% subsidy on cotton seeds,” Hindustan Times reported.
Experts believe only a marginal increase in acreage is likely, as a large number of farmers remain reluctant to return to cotton cultivation after suffering repeated losses over the past several years.
Deputy Director (cotton) in the Punjab agriculture department Charanjeet Singh said the decline in cotton acreage would directly increase pressure on the state’s water resources, as many farmers are expected to shift to paddy cultivation.
Image courtesy: DWIJ
