Top 10 Cotton Producing States of India: Cotton is among the major cash crops in India and contributes a major portion of the economy of the country, which earned the name “White Gold.” Cotton is produced most majorly in Gujarat (followed by Maharashtra and Telangana). Cotton is important for textiles and industries and thus is a major component of India’s agricultural sector.
In this article, we will take a look at the Top 10 Cotton Producing States of India in 2023.
Let’s get started!
Top 10 Cotton Producing States of India in 2023
|
Rank
|
State
|
Contribution to Total Cotton Production
|
|
1
|
Gujarat
|
27%
|
|
2
|
Maharashtra
|
23%
|
|
3
|
Telangana
|
16%
|
|
4
|
Rajasthan
|
8%
|
|
5
|
Karnataka
|
6%
|
|
6
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
5%
|
|
7
|
Haryana
|
5%
|
|
8
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
4%
|
|
9
|
Punjab
|
3%
|
|
10
|
Odisha
|
2%
|
India: World’s Largest Producer of Cotton
India has now passed China to become the world’s largest producer of cotton. India’s Cotton production contributes to approx. 25% of the global cotton production. The cultivation of cotton supports the livelihoods of around 6 million cotton farmers and engages 40-50 million individuals in associated activities, including cotton processing and trade.
The Indian Textile Industry plays a significant role as a consumer of diverse fibers and yarns, with a cotton-to-non-cotton fiber usage ratio of approximately 60:40 in India, contrasting with the global ratio of 30:70.
Cotton’s impact extends to India’s net foreign exchange earnings through exports of raw cotton, intermediate products like yarn and fabric, and finished goods such as garments, made-ups, and knitwear. Given its substantial economic significance, cotton is often referred to as “White-Gold” in India.
Top 10 Cotton Producing States in India
Majority of cotton production in India is concentrated in ten major cotton-growing states, which are categorised into three distinct agro-ecological zones.
Northern Zone
The Northern Zone includes Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Central Zone
The Central Zone encompasses Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
Southern Zone
The Southern Zone has Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, as well as Tamil Nadu.
Top Cotton Producing States in India (2022-23)
In year 2022-23, the top cotton producing states in India are:
Gujarat:
Gujarat has the crown as India’s largest cotton producer, with a major portion i.e., 27% to the nation’s total cotton output. The places like Amreli, Bhavnagar, and Rajkot in Gujarat are major producers, due to the region’s favourable climate and nutrient filled soil.
Maharashtra:
Stepping into the spotlight, Maharashtra claims the honourable second position in India’s cotton production, having a significant 23% share. The cotton story in Maharashtra unfolds across historic farming districts like Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Jalgaon. Here, the climate and soil collaborate harmoniously to support the cultivation of a diverse array of cotton varieties.
Telangana:
Telangana secures its place as the third cotton producer state in India, contributing a substantial 16% to the nation’s cotton production. The districts of Adilabad, Warangal, and Khammam stand as key players in this cotton cultivation. The Telangana state government has implemented various programs for supporting cotton production.
Rajasthan:
Rajasthan is fourth largest cotton producer state in India with 8% to the country’s total cotton production. Important districts here for the cotton production are Nagaur, Jodhpur, and Pali.
Karnataka:
Karnataka is today the fifth biggest cotton producer in India contributing six% to total cotton production of the nation. The best cotton fields are here at Bijapur, Dharwad and Bellary. The state government has instituted programs to encourage cotton farming and better the lives of cotton farmers.
Andhra Pradesh:
Andhra Pradesh is sixth amongst India’s biggest cotton producer states with 5% of the nation’s total cotton production. The state’s main cotton producing areas are Guntur, Prakasam and Kurnool region.
Haryana:
Haryana comes seventh in India’s cotton producing states with 5% added to the country’s cotton production. The cotton fields of Hisar, Sirsa and Fatehabad are important in the state. The Haryana state government has created many programs for cotton cultivation to promote the market and the lives of cotton growers.
Madhya Pradesh:
Madhya Pradesh ranks eighth of India’s biggest cotton producing states, adding approximately four% of the nation’s total cotton production. Here the districts of Khargone, Mandsaur and Ratlam, are the ones where cotton fields are abound.
Punjab:
Punjab is the 9th biggest cotton producer state in India having 35% of the nation’s overall cotton production. Producers here include Bathinda, Muktsar and Ferozepur.
Odisha:
Odisha ranks tenth among India’s largest cotton producers, contributing just 2% of the country’s overall cotton production. Places such as Bolangir, Rayagada and Kalahandi where climate is suitable for cotton growth and there is sufficient rainfall and fertile soil produce most of the cotton. The Odisha state government has started a few schemes for cotton growing, with technical assistance and subsidies to the cotton farmers.
Issues with the Cotton Sector in India
Several challenges confront the Indian cotton sector affecting productivity, sustainability and livelihoods of cotton farmers.
1. Productivity
Low productivity per hectare is a serious problem in Indian cotton sector. Old farming practices, deficient irrigation and poor seed quality are to blame. Access to proper irrigation creates additional problems for cotton farmers.
2. Pest infestation
Pest infestation is a persistent problem facing cotton crops in India. Vulnerability to pests may lower crop yield and quality. The main ones are lack of crop rotation, monoculture and poor pest management.
3. High input Costs
Another major obstacle for small-scale cotton farmers is High input Costs. The price of seeds, fertilisers & pesticides is generally prohibitive and some farmers use poor quality seed and small pesticides. This reduces productivity and lowers quality of produced cotton.
4. Limited Market access
Many cotton farmers in India face Limited Access to markets. Dependence on middlemen means farmers end up selling their produce at a discount and never get paid off. Improved market access is critical to economically empower farmers.
5. Dependency on monsoon
The cotton crop in India is dependent upon unpredictable Monsoon rains. This dependency increases crop failure risk and affects yield.
Conclusion
India’s cotton sector is a major and important sector which has been called “White Gold” for its contributions to the nation’s economy. The top ten cotton producing states with Gujarat in front followed by Maharashtra and Telangana, reflect a national spectrum of cultivation effort. Also with this, demands by India to become the world’s biggest producer of cotton emphasise its place in worldwide markets, creating about a quarter of the world’s cotton production from its areas.
Still, low productivity, pests, high input costs, restricted market entry and dependency on monsoons remain barriers to the sector’s livelihoods and sustainability of millions pf people. Solutions for this including innovation, policy assistance and enhanced infrastructure is going to be important to make certain the continued development and prosperity of India’s cotton market and make certain the futures of farmers and the economic system.
Related Searches
- List of top 10 Countries of Cotton Production
- Cotton Textile Industry in India
FAQs on Top 10 Cotton Producing States of India in 2023
Which states contribute the most to cotton production in India?
Gujarat and Maharashtra are the leading cotton-producing states in India, collectively contributing over 50% to the country’s total production.
What challenges does the Indian cotton sector face?
Major challenges include low productivity, pest infestation, high input costs, limited market access, and dependence on monsoons.
Why does Gujarat lead in production of cotton?
Gujarat is the largest cotton producing state with around 27% of the country’s production due to its climate, soil and proactive cultivation.
How do pest infestation affect cotton crops in India?
Pest infestation caused by monoculture and poor pest management can decrease crop yield and quality.
What programs have states established to promote cotton cultivation?
Several states like Telangana, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have programs to assist cotton growers, enhance cultivation and livelihoods.
Why cotton farmers in India face a challenge of market access?
Limited market access means many cotton farmers sell their produce at a discount to middlemen, preventing them from economic empowerment.
How does dependence on monsoons impact India’s cotton crop?
India’s cotton production depends upon monsoon rains and unpredictable rainfall could cause crop failure.
Which states are experiencing input cost problems?
Small cotton farmers in states like Haryana and Madhya Pradesh face high input costs restricting their ability to buy quality seeds and pesticides.
What are the steps to tackle the challenges confronting the Indian cotton sector?
To face challenges requires modernising farming practices, improving irrigation, encouraging sustainable pest management, reducing input costs, improving market access and financial support for farmers.
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