Top 10 Cotton Producing States of India in 2024

Table of Contents

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

Introduction

India is the second largest producer of cotton in the world after China. Cotton is one of the important commercial crops in India, and it contributes roughly 24% to 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 consumes 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.

In 2023-24, India was the third largest exporter of cotton globally contributing 5% to the total global exports. As a result, cotton contributes significantly to India’s net foreign exchange earnings. India 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."

Which are the Top 10 Cotton Producing States in India?

Cotton is produced in many states in India. The major cotton producing states are categorised into three distinct agro-ecological zones, which are listed below:

• The Northern Zone: It consists of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. The North zone has a share of around 14% of the total cotton production in the country.
• The Central Zone: It features Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The Central zone has the maximum share percentage of around 59% of the total cotton produced in India.
• The Southern Zone: It includes Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The Southern zone has a share of around 24% of the total cotton production.

The topmost cotton-producing states in India are Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana, which contribute to around 65% of the total cotton produced in the country. As per the data for 2023-24, the top cotton-producing states in India are:

Gujarat

Gujarat is the largest cotton-producing state in India, contributing around 27.8% of the country's total cotton production. The major cotton-producing districts in Gujarat are Amreli, Bhavnagar, Junagarh, and Rajkot. Gujarat's favourable climate and rich soil make it ideal for cotton cultivation.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is the second largest producer of cotton in India. It contributes around 25.5% of the total cotton production in India. Cotton is one of the oldest-growing crops in Maharashtra, and the leading cotton-producing districts are Nagpur, Aurangabad and Jalna. The state's favourable climate and rich soil make it ideal for the cultivation of different types of cotton.

Telangana

Telangana has secured the third place among the leading producer of cotton in India. It is accountable for around 14.9% of the total cotton production in the country. The majority of cotton is produced in the districts of Adilabad, Warangal, and Khammam. Telangana government has launched several schemes to promote cotton cultivation in the state and enhance the livelihood of cotton farmers.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan is the fourth largest cotton producer in the country. The state is responsible for approx. 8% of the total cotton production. Districts like Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Alwar, and Nagaur produce most of the cotton in the state.

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh has secured the fifth position in the list of top cotton-producing states. It has a share of around 6% in the total cotton produced in the country. Cotton is mostly produced in the districts of Khargone, Mandsaur, and Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh.

Karnataka

Karnataka is the sixth largest cotton producer in India. It contributes approx 5% of the total cotton production. The major cotton-producing districts in Karnataka are Bijapur, Dharwad, and Bellary.

Haryana

Haryana is the seventh largest cotton-producing state in the country. The state contributes around 4.5% of the total cotton production. The major cotton-producing districts are Hisar, Sirsa, and Fatehabad.

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is eighth on the list of top cotton-producing states in India. It is accountable for around 3.5% of India's total cotton production. Its major crop-producing districts include Guntur, Prakasam, and Kurnool.

Odisha

Odisha is the ninth leading producer of cotton in India. The state accounts for around 2.3% of the total cotton produced in the country. The state's favourable climate conditions, adequate rainfall, and fertile soil make it suitable for cotton production. The state's top districts for cotton production are Bolangir, Rayagada, and Kalahandi.

Punjab

Punjab is the last in the list of top 10 cotton-producing states in India. It has a share of around 1.5% of the total cotton production in the country. The top cotton-producing districts in Punjab include Bhatinda, Muktsar, and Ferozepur.