Punjab’s Cotton Cultivation Surges by 20%, Expands to 2.98 Lakh Acres

Fazilka Leads State in Cotton Farming; Kharif Maize Sowing Crosses 54,000 Acres in Nine Days

13 June 2025, Chandigarh:  Punjab has recorded a significant boost in cotton cultivation this Kharif season, with the area under cotton rising by nearly 20 percent. The total cotton acreage has increased from 2.49 lakh acres last year to 2.98 lakh acres this year, marking an expansion of over 49,000 acres, announced S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Punjab’s Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Addressing a review meeting on the Kharif season and ongoing agricultural projects held at Kisan Bhawan on Monday evening, Minister Khudian highlighted that Fazilka district leads the state in cotton cultivation with 60,121 hectares under the crop. It is followed by Mansa (27,621 hectares), Bathinda (17,080 hectares), and Sri Muktsar Sahib (13,240 hectares).

To further support cotton growers, the Punjab government has announced a 33% subsidy on cotton seeds. Over 49,000 farmers have already registered online to avail this benefit. The Agriculture Minister directed Chief Agriculture Officers across the state to ensure all cotton farmers complete their online registrations by June 15.

Shift to Kharif Maize

On the Kharif maize front, Minister Khudian expressed satisfaction with the farmers’ enthusiastic response, reporting that more than 54,000 acres have been sown within just nine days since the season began on June 1.

Under a pilot initiative led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab is incentivizing farmers to shift from paddy cultivation to Kharif maize. Farmers in six districts — Bathinda, Sangrur, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, and Kapurthala — will receive Rs. 17,500 per hectare to promote this transition. The pilot project aims to cover 12,000 hectares, supporting crop diversification and groundwater conservation. To ensure smooth implementation, the government has appointed 200 Kisan Mitras to assist and motivate farmers.

During the meeting, Minister Khudian also reviewed the progress on Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR), fertilizer availability, and other key agricultural initiatives. He emphasized the need for district officials to ensure timely delivery of quality agricultural inputs, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding farmers’ interests.

Also Read: Bayer Launches New Insecticide ‘Bicota’ for Managing Stem Borers in Paddy

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