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Agriculture Department Surveys Cotton Crops; Distributes Trichoderma to FarmersSurajgarh. On Tuesday, a team from the Agriculture Department conducted a survey of cotton crops across various villages in the area, an initiative led by the Locust and Integrated Pest Management Centre (Jaipur) under the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. During the visit, the organic fungicide Trichoderma was also distributed to the farmers.During the survey, officials noted that the current pest infestation levels in the cotton crops remain below the Economic Threshold Level (ETL). Nevertheless, farmers were advised to monitor their crops regularly and to use only those pesticides recommended by the CIB&RC should pest infestations increase.The team also educated farmers on the use of blue and yellow sticky cards to manage sap-sucking pests and pheromone traps to control the pink bollworm. Additionally, Trichoderma was provided to the farmers to promote organic farming practices.read more :- Rupee Opens Flat at 94.66 Against US Dollar

The rupee opened flat at 94.66.On Wednesday, the Indian rupee opened at 94.66 per dollar, whereas it had closed at 94.66 on Tuesday.READ MORE :- Rain Boosts Sowing in Phulambri

Maharashtra: Sowing Picks Up Pace in Phulambri and Soygaon Following RainPhulambri/Soygaon: Farmers in the Phulambri and Soygaon talukas, who were previously worried about the lack of rainfall up to the last week of June, have now found relief. Following recent good rainfall, sowing operations for the Kharif season have gained momentum in both talukas. Agricultural activities, which had stalled due to the earlier absence of rain, are now back on track, and farmers are actively engaged in sowing cotton, soybean, and maize.In Phulambri taluka, the 'Dhulperni' (pre-monsoon sowing done in dry soil) has received a new lease of life thanks to the timely rainfall. The prolonged dry spell had raised fears among farmers that they might have to sow their crops all over again. Many had planted seeds in anticipation of rain, but the delay had created a risk of crop failure.Good rainfall on Friday night significantly alleviated the farmers' concerns. The moisture in the fields has revitalized the crops that were already sown, while farmers who had not yet started sowing have also accelerated their field operations. Currently, the sowing of cotton, soybean, and maize is in full swing across both talukas.Although the current rainfall is considered sufficient for sowing, farmers are hoping for continued and good precipitation. They believe that if regular rainfall persists in the coming days, water levels in wells, ponds, and other sources will rise, ensuring adequate water availability for the subsequent growth of crops and for irrigation purposes.read more :- Kharif Sowing Down 22.7%

Weekly Monsoon Tracker: Kharif sowing drops by 22.7% due to rainfall deficit; cotton and oilseeds hit hardestThe impact of the monsoon's slow and uneven progress across the country is clearly visible on Kharif crop sowing. Due to rainfall deficits and receding water levels in reservoirs, the sowing of major crops—such as paddy, cotton, oilseeds, and pulses—is lagging significantly behind last year's figures. If adequate rainfall does not occur in July, there are concerns about mounting pressure on agricultural production and food inflation.According to the latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Kharif sowing covered 182.71 lakh hectares by June 25, 2026, compared to 236.47 lakh hectares during the same period last year. This marks a decline of 53.76 lakh hectares, or 22.7 percent, in the total sown area. Meanwhile, the country's rainfall deficit reached 43 percent by June 29. Below-normal rainfall has been recorded in 48 percent of the country, while 26 percent of the area falls under the 'large rainfall deficit' category.Oilseed crops have been the most severely affected. The acreage for oilseeds dropped from 36.40 lakh hectares last year to 16.98 lakh hectares—a decline of 19.42 lakh hectares. Specifically, soybean sowing fell from 19.97 lakh hectares to 6.92 lakh hectares, while groundnut acreage decreased from 15.29 lakh hectares to 8.87 lakh hectares.Cotton sowing has also been impacted; its acreage dropped from 45.36 lakh hectares to 29.66 lakh hectares, representing a decline of 15.70 lakh hectares. The area under paddy cultivation has shrunk from 34.41 lakh hectares to 25.75 lakh hectares, while the area sown with pulses has declined from 21.46 lakh hectares to 14.92 lakh hectares. Similarly, the acreage for coarse cereals ('Shree Anna') has decreased from 36.07 lakh hectares to 31.84 lakh hectares.Alongside the rainfall deficit, the receding water levels in reservoirs are also a cause for concern. Water storage in the country's 166 major reservoirs stands at just 26.4 percent of their total capacity, down from 36 percent during the same period last year. In South India, reservoir levels are at only 20.8 percent of capacity; specifically, levels have dropped from 48.6 percent to 14.7 percent in Karnataka and from 81 percent to 34.3 percent in Tamil Nadu. Water levels in Odisha's reservoirs also stand at a mere 15.3 percent.Although the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Vidarbha over the coming days, if rainfall remains below normal in July as well, it could exert pressure on Kharif production, farmers' incomes, and markets linked to pulses, edible oils, and cotton.read more :- The rupee lower by 09 paise against the dollar to close at 94.66

On Tuesday the Indian Rupee lower by 09 paise to close at 94.66 against the US dollar, after opening at 94.57 in morning trade.At close, the Sensex was down 249.70 points or 0.33 percent at 76,478.67, and the Nifty was down 80.50 points or 0.34 percent at 23,865.75. About 2250 shares advanced, 1805 shares declined, and 173 shares unchanged.read more :- Punjab Cotton Subsidy Sees Low Response

Limited Impact of 33% Subsidy on Cotton Seeds in Punjab; Farmers' Interest Continues to DeclineChandigarh: Despite the Punjab government's scheme offering a 33% subsidy on cotton seeds, farmers in the state remain disillusioned with cotton cultivation. According to the latest data from the Agriculture Department, only 19,000 farmers registered under the subsidy scheme this year, compared to 52,000 last year—marking a decline of approximately 63 percent in registrations.The government launched the 33% subsidy in 2023 for certified Bt cotton hybrids and indigenous cotton varieties recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). This assistance is capped at a maximum of five acres per farmer. Despite this, even in the fourth year of the scheme, farmers in the southern Malwa region—once considered the state's primary cotton-producing area—continue to shy away from the crop.Charanjit Singh, Deputy Director (Cotton) of the Agriculture Department, stated that cotton was sown across approximately 80,000 hectares in the state this year, down from 1.19 lakh hectares last year. He explained that unseasonal rains following the April sowing created a hard soil crust on the fields, hindering seed germination and destroying many plants. Due to the high cost involved in re-sowing, most farmers chose not to replant.He further noted that the unavailability of timely irrigation water from canals compounded the farmers' difficulties. Water supply was delayed due to maintenance work, while damage to minor canals in the Bathinda, Mansa, and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts disrupted the irrigation system.State Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated that the department could not achieve the expected success in promoting the indigenous cotton variety PBD-88. According to him, this variety is relatively more tolerant to several major pests, can be cultivated at a lower cost, and has the potential for higher yields. Experts believe that next-generation Bollgard-III GM cotton varieties, which are resistant to the pink bollworm, will be required to revitalize cotton cultivation in Punjab. Currently, several institutions, including PAU, are conducting trials, and a final decision will be taken by the central government after evaluating the trial results.read more :- Rupee Opens 3 Paise Lower Against Dollar at 94.57

The rupee opened 3 paise lower at 94.57 against the USD.On Tuesday, the Indian rupee opened 3 paise lower against the dollar at 94.57, whereas it had closed at 94.54 on Monday.RAED MORE :- Rain Boosts Cotton Sowing in Ahmadpur

Cotton Sowing Picks Up Pace in Ahmadpur After Two Days of Rain; Cultivation Planned for 10,000 HectaresAhmadpur: After a long wait, good rainfall over the past two days has brought relief to farmers in Ahmadpur Taluka. Farmers had been anxious due to the lack of rain during the first half of the monsoon's 'Mrig Nakshatra' period; however, with adequate soil moisture now available, cotton sowing operations have accelerated. Cotton is the taluka's second most important Kharif crop after soybean, and the target for this year is to cultivate it across approximately 10,000 hectares.With the Meteorological Department forecasting further rainfall, farmers have ramped up sowing activities. Moderate rainfall was recorded in several parts of the taluka on Saturday. Following this, farmers in villages such as Shirur Tajband, Ahmadpur, Nandura, Dhalegaon, Hadolti, and Thodga have headed to their fields.For this Kharif season, the total cultivable land in Ahmadpur Taluka is 71,482 hectares, with a total sowing area of 66,587 hectares. Soybean cultivation will cover the largest area at 44,622 hectares. This is followed by a planned 10,000 hectares for cotton and 9,797 hectares for Arhar (Tur/pigeon pea).Rainfall data indicates that 23 mm of rain was recorded in the Ahmadpur circle by June 27, bringing the cumulative total to 112 mm. The Shirur Tajband circle also received 23 mm of rain, reaching a total of 94 mm. Meanwhile, only 9 mm (total 49 mm) was recorded in the Khandli area, and 7 mm (total 23 mm) in the Andhori area. No rainfall occurred in the Kinggaon and Hadolti circles on that day. Kinggaon has received only 28 mm of rain so far, so farmers there are still awaiting significant rainfall.Sowing remains stalled in areas where soil moisture levels are insufficient. Following two consecutive days of rainfall in the Hadolti region, farmers have commenced sowing both cotton and soybean crops. They are hopeful that further good rainfall in the coming days will ensure the successful completion of sowing operations.Vishwanath Hengne, a farmer from Hadolti, stated, "We received good rainfall last June, and a rainy spell has begun this time as well. If there is substantial rainfall over the next day or two, the cotton sowing process will be fully successful."Taluka Agriculture Officer Sachin Bavge advised farmers against hasty sowing. According to him, it is advisable to sow only after receiving at least 100 mm of rainfall and ensuring adequate soil moisture. He emphasized the importance of checking seed germination capacity and performing seed treatment prior to sowing. He also noted that adopting the Broad Bed Furrow (BBF) or dibbling method saves seeds and fertilizer while enabling the crop to better withstand erratic rainfall. Additionally, he urged farmers to utilize the 'Mahavistar AI' app for weather forecasts, pest management, and modern agricultural advice.read more :-  Dry Spell Hits Chotila Cotton

Rainfall Deficit Threatens Cotton Sowing in Gujarat's Chotila; Re-sowing LikelySurendranagar (Gujarat): A prolonged dry spell in the Chotila region of Gujarat's Surendranagar district has raised concerns among farmers. After initial monsoon showers, farmers had hopefully sown Kharif crops, including cotton; however, the lack of subsequent adequate rainfall has begun to adversely affect the cotton crop in many areas. Farmers fear that if it does not rain soon, they may be forced to undertake re-sowing.Farmers state that they had invested thousands of rupees in expensive seeds, fertilizers, and labor to sow cotton, encouraged by the sufficient soil moisture resulting from the early rains. However, the prolonged dry spell caused the soil moisture to deplete rapidly. Consequently, in many fields, cotton seeds have either perished or dried up before even germinating.Crop failure has increased the financial burden on farmers. Many are already farming on borrowed money and are now anxious about the prospect of purchasing seeds and sowing again, further exacerbating their economic woes.Ambabhai Olakiya, a farmer leader and former president of the Chotila Taluka Panchayat, explained that due to the region's geographical conditions, rainwater does not retain in the soil for long. Limited water storage facilities mean that any delay in rainfall leads to a severe irrigation crisis.He noted that even farmers with borewells or wells are grappling with issues such as declining groundwater levels and inadequate electricity supply for agriculture. If there is no rainfall in the coming days, the impact could extend beyond crops to affect the availability of fodder for livestock and drinking water.Ambabhai Olakiya has urged the government to conduct an immediate survey of crop damage in the affected areas, provide compensation or free seeds and fertilizers to farmers, accelerate the construction of check dams and water conservation projects, and ensure a regular electricity supply for farming operations.For now, farmers in the Chotila region are waiting for good rainfall. They state that only timely and adequate rainfall can save the withering crops and spare farmers from potentially massive financial losses.read more :- The rupee lower by 19 paise against the dollar to close at 94.54

On Monday the Indian Rupee lower by 19 paise to close at 94.54 against the US dollar, after opening at 94.35 in morning trade.At close, the Sensex was down 372.10 points or 0.48 percent at 76,728.37, and the Nifty was down 109.75 points or 0.46 percent at 23,946.25. About 1681 shares advanced, 2471 shares declined, and 202 shares unchanged.read more :- Tamil Nadu Urged to Use PLI Scheme

Tamil Nadu Textile Industry Urged to Invest Under PLI Scheme; Goal to Triple ExportsTiruppur: Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh has urged Tamil Nadu’s textile and apparel industry to leverage the Central Government's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the technical textiles and man-made fiber (MMF) sectors. He noted that an outlay of ₹11,000 crore has been allocated under this scheme and encouraged the industry to utilize it to boost investment.Speaking at an event organized by the Tiruppur Exporters Association (TEA), the Minister stated that the government has relaxed the norms of the PLI scheme to encourage investment in the technical textiles and MMF sectors. He explained that the Ministry's new schemes have been formulated with the industry's needs in mind, placing special emphasis on aspects such as machinery, employment generation, and increasing production capacity. He expressed hope that the state and central governments would work together to accelerate the sector's growth.Giriraj Singh urged the industry to invest in states where an adequate workforce is available. He highlighted that the country's annual silk production has risen from 26,000 tonnes in 2014 to 43,000 tonnes, with the government aiming to reach 60,000 tonnes by 2030. He also emphasized the need to boost exports of garments made from blends of silk and other fibers.At the event, A. Sakthivel, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), noted that the Ministry of Textiles is continuously implementing new schemes and that all seven PM MITRA parks are now operational. Meanwhile, TEA President K.M. Subramanian called for the early implementation of the Textile Expansion and Employment Mission (TEEM) and requested a three-year extension on tax and levy-related relief measures. Later, the Union Minister inaugurated a GM testing laboratory for cotton and cotton-based products at the South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) in Coimbatore. This laboratory, which recently received NABL accreditation, will strengthen quality testing, traceability, and compliance with international standards in the global cotton trade. He also called upon Tamil Nadu's textile industry to triple the state's textile exports and increase investment in the manufacturing of indigenous machinery for the knitting, weaving, and processing sectors.read  more :- Cotton Sowing Starts in Ahilyanagar