Haryana Cotton Farmers Transition to Paddy Amidst Crisis
Haryana’s white gold loses lustre as cotton farmers shift to paddy
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Haryana's cotton farming is in crisis due to pest attacks, rising costs, and declining yields, prompting farmers to shift to paddy cultivation for more reliable returns. The area under cotton has decreased significantly, threatening local water sustainability efforts while rice production has surged.
- 01Cotton cultivation area in Haryana dropped from 7.4 lakh hectares in 2020-21 to 3.9 lakh hectares in 2025-26, a 47% decline.
- 02Rice cultivation area increased to 18.37 lakh hectares in 2024-25, up from 15.33 lakh hectares in 2021-22.
- 03Farmers reported losses of around ₹15,000 per acre due to reduced cotton yields, which fell from an average of 15-20 quintals to 2-3 quintals.
- 04The decline in cotton yields is attributed to the failure of Bt-cotton's pest resistance, allowing pests like the pink bollworm to thrive.
- 05State officials are optimistic about new financial assistance and improved seed quality to revive cotton farming.
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Haryana's cotton farming is facing a severe crisis, with farmers abandoning the once-lucrative crop in favor of paddy cultivation due to repeated pest attacks, rising costs, and declining yields. The area under cotton has plummeted from 7.4 lakh hectares in 2020-21 to 3.9 lakh hectares by 2025-26, marking a 47% decrease. This shift is particularly evident in districts such as Sirsa, Hisar, and Fatehabad, where cotton previously supported local water tables. In contrast, paddy cultivation has surged to 18.37 lakh hectares in 2024-25, reflecting farmers' need for more reliable returns. The economic fallout is significant, with farmers reporting losses of around ₹15,000 per acre, as yields have drastically dropped from an average of 15-20 quintals to just 2-3 quintals. Experts attribute this decline to the breakdown of Bt-cotton's pest resistance, which has allowed pests to overcome the crop's defenses. Despite the challenges, state officials are hopeful that new financial assistance and improved seed quality will help revive cotton farming in the long run, although the transition to paddy continues to threaten Haryana's water sustainability goals.
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The shift from cotton to paddy cultivation may lead to increased water usage, exacerbating the depletion of local aquifers and undermining long-term sustainability efforts.
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