Punjab Cotton Sowing Falls to Record Low as Acreage, Production and Yield Decline

Rajya Sabha data highlights six-year decline in cotton cultivation, while the Centre cites changing land-use patterns and outlines measures to support the textile sector.

Cotton acreage, production and overall crop yields have declined over the last six years, according to data tabled in the Rajya Sabha by Union Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita in response to a query by MP Pramod Tiwari. The data also shows that Punjab's cotton cultivation has dropped to its lowest level, despite state efforts to revive sowing.

Data presented in the Rajya Sabha by Union Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita, in reply to a question raised by MP Pramod Tiwari, indicates a decline in cotton acreage, production and overall crop yields over the past six years.

Figures sourced from an April 2026 meeting of the Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption show that the total area under cotton cultivation decreased from 132.85 lakh hectares in 2020–21 to 114.82 lakh hectares in 2025–26.

During the same period, overall cotton production declined from 352.48 lakh bales in 2020–21 to 290.91 lakh bales in 2025–26. (1 bale = 170 kg). National productivity also reduced from 451 kg per hectare to 431 kg per hectare, after reaching 443 kg per hectare in 2022–23 before declining again.

Punjab recorded its lowest cotton cultivation area, with coverage falling to around 80,000 hectares for the 2026–27 season from 1.19 lakh hectares in 2025–26. Although the state government had targeted cotton sowing on 1.25 lakh hectares, Punjab achieved 64% of that target as farmers moved away from the crop.

To address raw material availability for the domestic textile industry, raw cotton imports nearly doubled within a year, increasing from 562,224 tonnes in 2024–25 to 1,013,455 tonnes in 2025–26.

In his response, the minister attributed the decline in output primarily to changing land-use patterns, stating that farmers have increasingly shifted towards more remunerative alternative crops. He also noted that although overall production has fallen, lint productivity has remained broadly stable within the 428–451 kg/hectare range.

The minister further stated that the government has introduced measures to support the textile industry, including an exemption from the 11% import duty on cotton imports from June 1 to Oct 31 to ensure adequate availability of raw cotton at competitive prices.

He added that the government has also continued the exemption from import duty on extra long staple cotton, effective from Feb 20, 2024, to facilitate the availability of quality cotton for the textile industry.