Cotton Cultivation Rises by 20% in Punjab; Maize Sowing Gains Momentum
27 June 2025, Chandigarh: Punjab is witnessing a noticeable shift toward crop diversification with the onset of the Kharif season. State Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian has announced that cotton cultivation has expanded to 2.98 lakh acres, marking a 20% increase from last year’s 2.49 lakh acres—an addition of nearly 49,000 acres.
Fazilka Leads in Cotton Acreage
Among districts, Fazilka has emerged as the leader in cotton cultivation, covering 60,121 hectares. It is followed by Mansa (27,621 ha), Bathinda (17,080 ha), and Sri Muktsar Sahib (13,240 ha).
More than 49,000 farmers have already registered online to avail of seed subsidies for cotton. The agriculture department has instructed all district officers to complete the remaining farmer registrations by June 15.
Maize Sowing Accelerates Across Key Districts
Maize sowing, which began on June 1, has already crossed 54,000 acres within nine days. To promote maize cultivation as an alternative to paddy, the state government has launched a pilot initiative in six districts: Bathinda, Sangrur, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, and Kapurthala. Under the scheme, farmers switching from paddy to maize will receive an incentive of ₹17,500 per hectare. The pilot aims to bring 12,000 hectares under maize cultivation.
To support this transition, the government has deployed 200 trained ‘Kisan Mitras’ (Farmer Friends) to guide and train maize growers.
Focus on DSR and Timely Input Supply
The minister also reviewed the state’s Kharif preparedness, including the promotion of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), fertilizer supply, and the availability of agricultural inputs. District officials have been instructed to ensure the timely distribution of quality inputs to farmers.
Also Read: Five Indians Recognized in 2025 Top Agri-Food Pioneers List by World Food Prize Foundation
📢 If You’re in Agriculture, Make Sure the Right People Hear Your Story.
Have a story the global agriculture industry should hear? From product launches to strategic announcements, Global Agriculture offers unmatched visibility across international agri-business markets. Connect with us at pr@global-agriculture.com to explore editorial and advertising opportunities that reach the right audience, worldwide.
