Efforts by the Punjab government to significantly expand the area under cotton cultivation in the state’s semi-arid southwestern districts are facing considerable challenges, primarily due to the persistent threat of pink bollworm infestations. Agricultural experts suggest that a substantial increase in acreage is unlikely until new cotton hybrid seeds with built-in resistance to this devastating pest become commercially available.
While the state is offering a 33% subsidy on certified cotton seeds, experts believe this incentive may only lead to a marginal rise in cultivation compared to the record low of 95,000 hectares planted in the 2024 kharif season. This figure represents a significant decline from previous years, with acreage standing at 2.95 lakh hectares in 2016 and 3.35 lakh hectares in 2019. Although the area remained above 2.50 lakh hectares for two decades, it sharply decreased to 1.73 lakh hectares in 2023 before the further drop in 2024.
For the 2025-26 season, the state has set a target of increasing the cotton area to 1.25 lakh hectares. State agriculture authorities are encouraging farmers to plant indigenous high-yield cotton varieties in an effort to reclaim land that has been shifted to paddy cultivation. However, agricultural officials acknowledge that currently available hybrid seeds remain susceptible to pink bollworm attacks. Farmers, having experienced successive crop failures since 2021, are reportedly reluctant to take on the associated risks.
Experts highlight that a major revival of cotton cultivation in the southwest will largely depend on the introduction of new hybrids resistant to the pink bollworm. These advanced hybrids are currently undergoing testing, and it is anticipated that it may take two to three years before central regulatory bodies authorise their sale for wider distribution.
The seed subsidy, first introduced in 2023, was reportedly not available in the subsequent season due to the model code of conduct for the 2024 general elections. The incentive aims to discourage farmers from using unapproved seeds, which were identified as a contributing factor to crop failures, particularly in 2021. Infestations of both pink bollworm and whitefly have led to increased reliance on agricultural chemicals, significantly driving up input costs for farmers.
Despite a desire among farmers in the semi-arid regions to return to cotton, the high expense associated with managing pests remains a significant barrier. Meanwhile, reports indicate that some farmers in the southwest, including in districts like Mansa, resorted to using brackish water for rice cultivation in 2024, a practice that could have negative long-term implications for soil health.
