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Cotton Sowing Deficit Slashes To 9% As Farmers Race To Plant

• By  Textile Excellence
• July 28, 2026

India's cotton crop has staged a dramatic comeback.

Just weeks after a delayed monsoon pushed cotton sowing 25-30% behind last year, the gap has narrowed sharply to just 9%, triggering optimism that the country could still achieve its ambitious 125-130 lakh hectare target this season.

Good monsoon rains across Central and South India have sent farmers back to their fields, while a combination of higher MSP, strong market prices and better profitability is drawing acreage away from soybean, maize, sugarcane and groundnut.

According to the latest Agriculture Ministry data, cotton sowing had reached 66 lakh hectares by July 9, up sharply from barely 30 lakh hectares just days earlier. Industry believes the momentum is only getting stronger.

Industry veteran Atul Ganatra expects cotton acreage to cross 100 lakh hectares by July 25, putting the government's target firmly within sight. Although the sowing window has been extended until 15 August because of the delayed monsoon, most planting is expected to be completed by the end of July.

The recovery is also reflected in official assessments. Agriculture Commissioner P. K. Singh says improved rainfall in key producing states, particularly Maharashtra, has accelerated sowing after a sluggish start.

Cotton wins the acreage battle

The biggest driver is no longer the weather, it's profitability.

The Government has increased cotton's MSP to around ₹8,700 per quintal, nearly 7% higher than last year. Farmers also realised market prices close to ₹10,000 per quintal during the previous season, making cotton one of the most attractive Kharif crops.

The result is a visible shift in cropping patterns.

Across Maharashtra, growers are replacing sugarcane, maize and soybean with cotton. In Gujarat, delayed rains have pushed thousands of farmers to abandon groundnut in favour of cotton. Reports from Khandesh indicate cotton sowing is already 20-25% higher than last year, while farmers who suffered poor soybean germination are replanting their fields with cotton.

South India powers ahead

South India has emerged as the surprise growth engine this season.

Industry estimates indicate cotton sowing in the region is already 20% ahead of last year. Since Central and South India together account for nearly 100 lakh hectares of cotton cultivation, their strong performance could determine the size of India's final crop.

Telangana is reinforcing the trend.

Despite weak overall Kharif sowing, farmers continue to favour cotton over pulses and other rainfed crops because of stronger returns, abundant seed availability and better drought tolerance. The state is targeting 52 lakh acres under cotton this season.

Big relief for textile industry

For India's textile industry, the recovery couldn't have come at a better time.

Last season's lower cotton production tightened raw material supplies and kept fibre prices under pressure. A larger crop this year would improve cotton availability for spinning mills, stabilise fibre supplies and support the entire textile value chain.

If the monsoon remains supportive through July and August, India's cotton story could change dramatically. What looked like a weak crop only weeks ago is now shaping up to be one of the strongest sowing recoveries in recent years - a development that could ease raw material concerns across the textile industry.

Last season's lower cotton production tightened raw material supplies and kept fibre prices under pressure. A larger crop this year would improve cotton availability for spinning mills, stabilise fibre supplies and support the entire textile value chain. If the monsoon remains supportive through July and August, India's cotton story could change dramatically. What looked like a weak crop only weeks ago is now shaping up to be one of the strongest sowing recoveries in recent years - a development that could ease raw material concerns across the textile industry.