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Maharashtra: Cotton sowing begins amidst scanty rainfall; acreage likely to shrink in AhilyanagarIt has been nearly a month since the onset of the monsoon in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar district, yet the lack of widespread, normal rainfall is affecting Kharif season sowing. However, following light showers over the past two days, some farmers have commenced cotton sowing, relying on irrigation facilities. The Agriculture Department anticipates that if there is no significant rainfall in the coming days, the total area under cotton cultivation in the district could decrease this year.Cotton sowing has begun on a limited scale in talukas such as Shevgaon, Pathardi, Rahuri, and Nevasa. However, the majority of farmers are still waiting for adequate rainfall. Farmers point out that sowing in soil with low moisture levels carries the risk of seed failure, potentially necessitating re-sowing. Given the high cost of cotton seeds, re-sowing would impose an additional financial burden on farmers.Cotton cultivation acreage in Ahilyanagar district has steadily increased over the past few years. While cotton was previously grown in a limited area, farmers in sugarcane-growing regions have also recently turned towards cotton cultivation. Currently, cotton is being cultivated in several areas, including Ahilyanagar, Shevgaon, Pathardi, Nevasa, Jamkhed, Karjat, and Kopargaon. The average area under cotton in the district over the last three years has been recorded at 122,086 hectares, whereas last year, cotton was cultivated across approximately 150,000 hectares.So far, the highest cotton sowing has been recorded in Rahuri taluka, covering 5,045 hectares. This is followed by Nevasa (1,551 hectares), Shrigonda (571 hectares), Karjat (318 hectares), Shevgaon (300 hectares), and Shrirampur (238 hectares). Agricultural experts state that cotton sowing usually gains momentum with good rainfall during the Mrig Nakshatra; however, the slow progress of the monsoon this year has heightened farmers' concerns. Over the past two years, farmers suffered significant financial losses due to crop damage caused by excessive rain and the inability to secure fair market prices. Consequently, they are now hoping for both timely, adequate rainfall and better market rates for cotton this year. If sufficient rain does not arrive soon, the area under cotton cultivation in the district could be lower than that of the previous year.read more :- Rupee Opens 5 Paise Higher at 94.35 Against US Dollar

The rupee opened 5 paise higher at 94.35 against the US dollar.On Monday, the rupee opened at 94.35 against the US dollar, registering a gain of 5 paise, whereas it had closed at 94.40 on Thursday.Read More :- Rain Boosts Sowing in Adilabad

Heavy Rains in Adilabad Accelerate Cotton and Soybean SowingAdilabad: Good rainfall over the past two days has brought relief to farmers in the erstwhile Adilabad district. Farmers, who had been waiting for rain for a long time, have now ramped up the sowing of cotton and soybean. They believe that the adequate moisture will improve seed germination and boost the initial growth of the crops.Many farmers had previously postponed sowing due to a lack of rainfall. However, with the recent rains providing sufficient soil moisture, sowing operations for cotton and soybean have gained momentum. Several farmers who sowed crops in the first week of June had suffered losses due to poor germination; these farmers are now re-sowing cotton, while others have turned to alternative crops like red gram (tur) and soybean to mitigate risk.Chaudhary Vinod, a farmer from Ramai village in Sathnala Mandal, stated that regular rainfall over the next few days is crucial for a good harvest. He noted that if the rains stop again, soil moisture levels would deplete rapidly, increasing the risk of the new sprouts withering.Agricultural scientists have advised farmers regarding fields where cotton was sown earlier but germination was delayed due to dry soil. Since these seeds could still germinate once adequate moisture is available, farmers are urged not to hastily re-plough their fields but to assess the crop's condition before making a decision.The recent rains have also revived the flow of water in ponds, streams, and small rivers. This has raised hopes for an improvement in groundwater levels, which will help farmers provide necessary irrigation to their cotton and soybean crops using sprinkler and drip irrigation systems in the future.Although farmers remain watchful of the monsoon's further progress, the recent rainfall has significantly alleviated concerns caused by the delayed onset of the season. Farmers are hopeful that if good rainfall continues in the coming days, crop production is likely to be better this Kharif season.read more :- Cotton Duty Relief, Challenges Remain

Relief on Cotton Duty: A Welcome Move, but the Textile Industry's Real Challenges RemainThe Government of India has decided to grant a temporary exemption on the 11% customs duty on cotton imports from June 1 to October 31, 2026. The government states that this move will ensure an adequate supply of raw material for the textile industry, reduce input costs, provide relief to MSME units, and make Indian textile products more competitive in the global market.According to Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, this decision aims to ensure cotton availability during the off-season and boost exports. Industry bodies believe this exemption could lower cotton prices by approximately 6%, offering relief to companies manufacturing yarn, garments, towels, bedsheets, and home textiles.However, experts point out that this is merely a temporary solution. The real challenges facing the Indian textile industry include low cotton productivity, quality issues, and global competition. According to the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), India imports an average of about 2 million (20 lakh) bales of cotton annually, representing roughly 7% of total domestic production. These imports are primarily undertaken to secure superior quality yarn and fulfill export orders.Industry stakeholders note that countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Pakistan impose no duty on cotton imports. In contrast, the 11% import duty levied on Indian mills increases costs and hampers export competitiveness. India has also witnessed a decline in its share of global cotton yarn exports in recent years.Experts observe that India's average cotton productivity stands at 450–500 kg per hectare, whereas the global average is around 800 kg per hectare. Furthermore, fiber quality and contamination remain significant issues. They argue that providing duty relief alone will not yield a long-term solution. To strengthen the Indian textile industry, equal emphasis must be placed on superior seeds, modern farming practices, high-quality cotton, supply chain improvements, and enhancing productivity. Only then will India be able to maintain its competitive edge in the global textile market.read more :- Rain Boosts Kharif Sowing in Amravati

Rain Accelerates Kharif Sowing; Cotton Cultivation Gains MomentumAmravati: The arrival of the Southwest Monsoon, delayed by approximately 15 days, has injected new momentum into Kharif sowing operations in Amravati district. Following widespread and substantial rainfall over the past two days, farmers have commenced sowing on a large scale. According to the Agriculture Department, sowing was completed across nearly 25,000 hectares in just two days, bringing the district's total sown area to 28,000 hectares so far.On Wednesday, most talukas in the district recorded rainfall exceeding 50 mm. Subsequently, activity involving tractors and agricultural machinery intensified in the fields on Thursday and Friday. Farmers who had previously sown crops in limited areas prior to the monsoon also resumed work on their remaining fields following the rains. Due to the delayed monsoon this year, the majority of farmers are prioritizing  cotton cultivation.However, despite the favorable rainfall, rising cultivation costs remain a major concern for farmers. There has been a significant hike in the prices of seeds, tractor rentals, chemical fertilizers, and herbicides. Due to the high cost of diesel, tractor rental charges have risen from ₹800–900 per acre last year to ₹1,100–1,200 per acre this year.Fertilizer prices are also placing an additional burden on farmers. The price of 20:20:0:13 grade fertilizer has risen from ₹1,250 per bag  last year to ₹2,150 this year. Meanwhile, the price of 12:32:16 grade fertilizer has increased from ₹1,450 to ₹1,800 per bag.Prof. Dr. K.P. Singh, Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Durgapur, stated that the record sowing achieved in two days is a positive sign, but the escalating cost of cultivation will impact farmers' income. Meanwhile, Milind Ingole, President of the District Agricultural Input Dealers Association, stated that the prices of fertilizers and certain pesticides have risen by 15–20 percent. While farmers are enthusiastic due to good rainfall, rising costs remain the biggest challenge of this Kharif season.read more :- CCI Raises Cotton Prices by ₹300

CCI Raises Cotton Prices by ₹300 per Candy; Weekly Auction Sales Cross 93,700 BalesThe Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) increased its cotton selling prices by ₹300 per candy during the week ended June 26, 2026. Strong participation from textile mills and cotton traders was witnessed in the auctions, resulting in total weekly sales of about 93,700 bales from the 2025–26 crop season.Day-wise Auction PerformanceJune 22, 2026 (Monday):The week began on a strong note, with the highest auction sales of 71,400 bales. Mills purchased 37,000 bales, while traders lifted 34,400 bales.June 23, 2026 (Tuesday):Auction activity moderated, with total sales of 13,800 bales. Mills bought 7,200 bales, while traders purchased 6,600 bales.June 24, 2026 (Wednesday):Sales declined further to 3,900 bales. Mills accounted for 1,700 bales, while traders purchased 2,200 bales.June 25, 2026 (Thursday):CCI auction sales stood at 3,500 bales. Mills purchased 1,700 bales, while traders lifted 1,800 bales.June 26, 2026 (Friday):The week ended with the lowest auction volume of 1,100 bales. Mills purchased 500 bales, while traders bought 600 bales.Cumulative Sales UpdateWith the latest auctions, CCI's cumulative cotton sales for the 2025–26 season have reached 79,57,500 bales.

Delay in Cotton Sowing: MSP Set at ₹8,600; Production Could Drop by 20% Without RainJalgaon: The central government has fixed the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton at ₹8,600 per quintal for the 2026-27 season. However, sowing has not yet commenced in rain-fed areas due to a lack of adequate rainfall so far. Agricultural experts believe that if sowing is completed by July 5, the crop will be ready for harvest in October, offering farmers the prospect of good yields and the benefit of the MSP. Conversely, if the rains are further delayed, cotton production could decline by 10% to 20%.In irrigated areas, farmers sowed cotton as early as the last week of May, and germination has already occurred; the crop in these regions is expected to be ready around the time of Vijayadashami. Meanwhile, farmers dependent on rainfall are still awaiting good showers. With the region recording only about 12% of normal rainfall so far, most farmers have postponed sowing.Production and Trade Impacted Last SeasonCotton production was adversely affected by excessive rainfall during the previous Kharif season (2025-26). Additionally, market arrivals of cotton were lower than anticipated because private traders offered low prices. Against an estimated 20 lakh bales, only 8.5 lakh bales were available for procurement by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and private traders.The shortage of cotton also impacted the ginning and pressing industry. This industry, which typically generates an annual turnover of ₹375 crore, saw its business shrink to between ₹200 crore and ₹225 crore last season.*Prices Crossed ₹9,000 Mark Towards Season's End*Last year, the central government had fixed the MSP for cotton at ₹8,100 per quintal. Initially, due to high moisture content, private traders offered prices ranging only from ₹7,600 to ₹7,700 per quintal based on quality. However, a subsequent shortage of cotton in the market and limited imports drove up the demand for Indian cotton, pushing prices to between ₹9,000 and ₹9,500 per quintal by the end of the season.Yet, by May, most farmers had no cotton left to sell; consequently, they could not reap the benefits of these higher market prices.Farmers' Hopes Hing on RainfallAccording to agricultural experts, this year's cotton yield and farmers' income will largely depend on the rainfall in the coming days. If there is good rainfall over the next week and sowing is completed on time, a balance between production and market dynamics can be maintained. Conversely, any significant delay in rainfall is likely to have a direct impact on production, quality, and agro-based industries.read more :- Telangana Kharif Sowing Slows

Sluggish Start to Kharif Sowing in Telangana; Sharp Decline in Cotton and Soybean Acreage Sowing operations for the 2026 Kharif season in Telangana are progressing at a much slower pace compared to the previous year. According to the latest data released by the State Agriculture Department (as of June 24, 2026), the total cropped area in the state stands at just 14.78 lakh acres (1,478,120 acres). This figure is roughly half of the 28.38 lakh acres (2,838,416 acres) sown during the same period last year. Overall, only 11.16 percent of the normal seasonal acreage has been covered so far. Cotton Remains Dominant, Yet Acreage Sees Significant Drop While cotton continues to dominate Kharif sowing in the state, the pace of planting lags significantly behind last year. Latest figures indicate that cotton has been sown across 12.60 lakh acres (1,260,315 acres) so far, whereas the figure stood at 22.14 lakh acres by this time last year. This represents a massive decline of approximately 9.5 lakh acres in sowing area. Worrying Situation for Soybean and Oilseeds The sharpest and most concerning decline has been observed in the sowing of oilseed crops, particularly soybean. This year, the soybean acreage has shrunk to just 24,666 acres, down from over 1.43 lakh acres (143,253 acres) during the same period last year. Consequently, the total oilseed acreage has also plummeted to a mere 25,429 acres, compared to 1.43 lakh acres last year. Hopes Hing on Future Rainfall The data clearly indicates that initial sowing activity in Telangana has been very sluggish. Agricultural experts believe that the primary reason for this could be a delay in the onset of monsoon rains or their uneven distribution. However, the Agriculture Department expects the pace of sowing to pick up and the situation to improve in the state's key agricultural regions as the monsoon gains momentum in the coming weeks. read more :- The rupee lower by 09 paise against the dollar to close at 94.39

On Thursday the Indian Rupee lower by 09 paise to close at 94.39 against the US dollar, after opening at 94.30 in morning trade.At close, the Sensex was up 109.25 points or 0.14 percent at 77,100.47, and the Nifty was up 34.35 points or 0.14 percent at 24,056.00. About 1544 shares advanced, 2488 shares declined, and 180 shares unchanged.read more :- Minister Urges Caution in Kharif Sowing

Agriculture Minister Advises Farmers Against Hasty Sowing After First RainMaharashtra Monsoon Update: Preparations for the Kharif season have intensified with the onset of the monsoon in the state. Amidst this, Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne has advised farmers not to rush into sowing immediately after the first rainfall. He emphasized that sowing should commence only after ensuring sufficient soil moisture and consistent rainfall; this ensures better crop germination and minimizes the risk of crop loss.Addressing the Legislative Assembly, the Minister noted that the monsoon has become active across several parts of Maharashtra, with good rainfall expected in the coming days. He pointed out that farmers often sow hastily after the initial showers, but if the rain stops subsequently, the seeds may spoil, necessitating re-sowing. Therefore, farmers should sow their crops only after accurately assessing soil moisture and weather conditions.The state government is also remaining vigilant regarding the potential impact of El Niño. The Agriculture Department is providing weather-based advisories to farmers in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the India Meteorological Department (IMD), agricultural universities, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Agricultural Science Centres). Additionally, efforts are being made to promote water management and climate-resilient farming practices.The Agriculture Minister stated that relief amounting to approximately ₹20,000 crore has been provided to farmers affected by excessive rainfall last year. Meanwhile, ₹1,523 crore in compensation has already been distributed under the crop insurance scheme, and the process for disbursing the remaining amount is underway.The government has also made a significant announcement for cotton-growing farmers. A 'Cotton Productivity Mission' will be implemented from the 2026-27 to 2030-31 period, aiming to boost production and farmers' income by promoting improved seeds, modern technology, and scientific farming methods.The Minister further informed that adequate stocks of fertilizers and seeds are available for the Kharif season, and strict action is being taken across the state against the sale of spurious agricultural inputs.read more :- Monsoon Reaches Khargone After Delay

Monsoon Arrives in Khargone with a 9-Day Delay; Rain for Second Consecutive Day Brings Relief to Cotton and Chili CropsThe monsoon has finally arrived in Khargone district. A spell of light to heavy rain continued for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. Good rainfall was recorded in the hilly areas of Kasrawad and Jhirnya during the afternoon. The rain has brought significant relief to Kharif crops such as cotton, chili, and maize, bringing smiles to the faces of farmers.Late Tuesday evening, the Pipaljhopa area experienced heavy rain for about two hours. The downpour caused water levels on the roads to rise to nearly two feet, making commuting difficult for residents. Water also entered several shops, resulting in losses.This year, the monsoon reached the district with a delay of nine days compared to the scheduled time. Last year, the monsoon arrived in the state on June 16, whereas this time it became active around June 25. So far, only 11.2 millimeters of rainfall has been recorded in the district, which is approximately 70 millimeters less than last year's figure.The continuous rainfall has also led to a significant drop in temperature. Over the past two days, the maximum temperature has fallen by about 5 degrees Celsius, settling at 34.5 degrees Celsius. According to meteorologists, the monsoon has become active due to moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea. The Meteorological Department has issued an alert predicting rain for the next three days, with good rainfall expected across most parts of the state.read more :- Cotton Sowing Gains Pace in Nashik