Top 10 Cotton Producing States of India in 2023

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Top 10 Cotton Producing States in India 
  • Gujarat
  • Maharashtra
  • Telangana
  • Rajasthan
  • Karnataka
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Haryana
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Punjab
  • Odisha
• Issues with the Cotton Sector in India
• Conclusion 

Introduction

India has recently taken over China as the largest producer of cotton in the world. Cotton is a vital commercial crop in India, accounting for roughly 25% of the world's total cotton production. It sustains the livelihood of about 6 million cotton farmers and 40-50 million individuals engaged in associated activities such as cotton processing and trade.

The Indian Textile Industry is a consumer of a broad spectrum of fibres and yarns, with a cotton-to-non-cotton fibre usage ratio of around 60:40 in India, compared to the rest of the world's 30:70.

Cotton also contributes significantly to India's net foreign exchange earnings through exports of raw cotton, intermediate products such as yarn and fabric, and finished products like garments, made ups, and knitwear. Due to its substantial economic significance in India, it is often referred to as "White-Gold."

Top 10 Cotton Producing States in India

Majority of cotton production in India is concentrated in ten major cotton-growing states, which are categorized into three distinct agro-ecological zones as follows:

• The Northern Zone, which includes Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
• The Central Zone, which encompasses Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
• The Southern Zone, which consists of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

The Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana are the major cotton producing states which produce about 65% of the total cotton production in the country. In 2022-23, the top cotton producing states of India are:

Gujarat

Gujarat is the largest producer of cotton in India, with a share of around 27% of the country's total cotton production. The state's major cotton-growing regions include the districts of Amreli, Bhavnagar, Junagarh, and Rajkot. The favourable climate and rich soil of Gujarat make it an ideal place for cotton cultivation.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is the second-largest cotton-producing state in India, with a share of approximately 23% of the country's total cotton production. The state has a long history of cotton farming, and its major cotton-growing districts include Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Jalgaon. The state's climate and soil conditions are suitable for growing different varieties of cotton.

Telangana

Telangana is the third-largest cotton-producing state in India, accounting for around 16% of the country's total cotton production. The state's cotton-growing regions are mainly concentrated in the districts of Adilabad, Warangal, and Khammam. The state's government has launched several programs to promote cotton cultivation and improve the livelihoods of cotton farmers.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan is the fourth-largest cotton-producing state in India, accounting for around 8% of the country's total cotton production. The state's major cotton-growing districts include Nagaur, Jodhpur, and Pali. The state government has also taken several initiatives to promote cotton cultivation and improve the livelihoods of cotton farmers.

Karnataka

Karnataka is the fifth-largest cotton-producing state in India, contributing around 6% of the country's total cotton production. The state's major cotton-growing districts include Bijapur, Dharwad, and Bellary. The state government has launched several programs to promote cotton cultivation and improve the livelihoods of cotton farmers.

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is the sixth-largest cotton-producing state in India, with a share of around 5% of the country's total cotton production. The state's major cotton-growing districts include Guntur, Prakasam, and Kurnool. The state government has launched several programs to promote cotton cultivation and improve the livelihoods of cotton farmers.

Haryana

Haryana is the seventh largest cotton-producing state in India, contributing around 5% of the country's total cotton production. The state's major cotton-growing districts are Hisar, Sirsa, and Fatehabad. The state government has launched several programs to promote cotton cultivation and improve the livelihoods of cotton farmers.

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is the eighth largest cotton-producing state in India, accounting for approximately 4% of the country's total cotton production. The state's major cotton-growing districts include Khargone, Mandsaur, and Ratlam. The state government has launched several programs to promote cotton cultivation and improve the livelihoods of cotton farmers.

Punjab

Punjab is the ninth largest cotton-producing state in India, with a share of around 3% of the country's total cotton production. The state's major cotton-growing districts include Bathinda, Muktsar, and Ferozepur. The state's government has also taken several initiatives to promote cotton cultivation and improve the livelihoods of cotton farmers.

Odisha

Odisha is the tenth-largest cotton producing state in India, accounting for around 2% of the country's total cotton production. The state has a favourable climate for cotton cultivation, with adequate rainfall and fertile soil. The three cotton-growing districts in Odisha are Bolangir, Rayagada, and Kalahandi. The state government has also taken several initiatives to promote cotton cultivation in the state, including providing subsidies and technical assistance to farmers.

What are the Issues with the Cotton Sector in India?

Having discussed the top 10 states producing cotton, now let us see what plagues or what are issues with cotton sector in India. The main issue plaguing Indian cotton sector includes low productivity, pest infestation, higher costs, and dependency on monsoon.

Productivity

Low productivity of cotton per hectare in India compared to other major cotton-producing countries is a major issue. This is mainly due to outdated farming practices, inadequate irrigation facilities, and poor seed quality. Additionally, many cotton farmers in India lack access to adequate irrigation facilities, making irrigation a significant challenge.

Pest infestation

One of the significant problems is pest infestation. Cotton crops in India are vulnerable to pest infestation, which can reduce crop yield and quality. There are several reasons for pest infestation in cotton crops, such as lack of crop rotation, monoculture, weather conditions, poor soil quality, and inadequate pest management.

High Costs

High input costs are also a significant issue for small-scale cotton farmers in India. The cost of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides are high, making it difficult for them to afford them. As a result, many farmers use low-quality seeds and avoid using pesticides, leading to reduced productivity and quality.

Lack of Market access

Market access is another challenge faced by many cotton farmers in India. Farmers have limited access to markets and are forced to sell their produce at low prices to middlemen. As a result, they are unable to reap the full benefits of their hard work.

Dependency on Monsoon

India's cotton crop is largely dependent on monsoon rains, which can be unpredictable and erratic, leading to crop failure. Moreover, many cotton farmers in India are burdened with debt, which can lead to a cycle of poverty and indebtedness. The high levels of debt have even led to farmer suicides in some cotton-growing areas.

Conclusion

Cotton is an important crop in India, providing livelihoods to millions of people, especially in rural areas. The production of cotton depends upon various factors like soil and climate. Thus, it is restricted to North, South and Central India. We hope you found the Top 10 Series blogs helpful. For more such interesting blogs visit Tractorkarvan.