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Cotton Sowing Picks Up Pace in Nashik Division; Planting Completed Across 1.5 Lakh HectaresNashik: With the revival of the monsoon, Kharif season activities have gained momentum in the Nashik division. Farmers have accelerated cotton sowing following good rainfall over the past three to four days. This has brought significant relief to farmers who had been waiting for adequate rain to begin sowing their Kharif crops.According to Agriculture Department data, cotton sowing has been completed across approximately 1.5 lakh hectares in the Nashik division so far. This represents nearly 14 percent of the 10.9 lakh hectare target set for cotton this year. Officials state that recent rains have ensured sufficient soil moisture, allowing sowing operations in the fields to progress rapidly.Among the districts in the division, Jalgaon leads in cotton sowing, with planting completed on 83,753 hectares so far. This is followed by Dhule with 45,227 hectares and Ahilyanagar with 8,830 hectares. Sowing operations are also underway in Nashik and Nandurbar districts, with expectations of further acceleration if weather conditions remain favorable.Cotton is considered a major Kharif crop in the Nashik division. It accounts for approximately 45 percent of the total sown area, and around 20 lakh farmers are directly involved in its cultivation. In addition to cotton, crops such as maize, soybean, moong (green gram), urad (black gram), pearl millet (bajra), arhar (tur/pigeon pea), and paddy are also cultivated in the region.According to Agriculture Department estimates, cotton cultivation this season will cover 5.5 lakh hectares in Jalgaon, 2.2 lakh hectares in Dhule, 1.6 lakh hectares in Ahilyanagar, 1.3 lakh hectares in Nandurbar, and approximately 39,000 hectares in Nashik. Although the sowing season has got off to a positive start, agricultural officials have advised farmers to exercise caution. They recommend proceeding with sowing only when there is a likelihood of sustained soil moisture, ensuring better seed germination.Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'Yellow Alert' for Nashik and forecast light to moderate rainfall in the coming days. According to the weather department, there is also a possibility of rain in Jalgaon, Dhule, and Nandurbar until Sunday. Persistent rainfall and a drop in temperatures have created favorable conditions for farming. Farmers are hopeful that this active monsoon phase will provide a strong foundation for the Kharif season.read more :- Rupee Opens 36 Paise Higher at 94.30 Against Dollar

The rupee opened 36 paise higher at 94.30 against the USD.On Thursday, the Indian rupee opened 36 paise higher against the dollar at 94.30, whereas it had closed at 94.66 on Wednesday.READ MORE :- Maharashtra Chopda Taluka: Farmers worried due to drought conditions.

Drought crisis in Maharashtra (Chopda Taluka): Farmers distressed after sowingAlthough the skies over Chopda Taluka have been overcast for the past two days raising hopes of rain, the actual absence of rainfall has left farmers deeply worried. The third week of June is ending—today is June 23—yet there is no sign of rain.Anticipating timely rainfall at the onset of the monsoon, farmers had prepared their fields and completed sowing after purchasing expensive fertilizers and seeds. However, the prolonged dry spell has sparked fears that their hard work and investment might go to waste. Farmers in Chopda Taluka—whether cultivating rain-fed or irrigated lands—are now anxiously scanning the skies, waiting for rain with the yearning of the Chatak bird. Clouds gather, but no rain falls, leaving farmers disappointed day after day. If there is no significant rainfall in the coming days, farmers will almost certainly face the crisis of having to sow their crops all over again. Such a situation would impose a heavy financial burden on them.It is not just farmers with rain-fed fields who are struggling; those with irrigation facilities are also facing severe difficulties. Across the taluka, water levels in wells, borewells, and other sources have plummeted rapidly due to scorching heat. The lack of water in the fields threatens to cause massive damage to standing horticultural crops. This weather uncertainty has disrupted the farmers' cultivation plans.read more :- The rupee higher by 23 paise against the dollar to close at 94.66

On Wednesday the Indian Rupee higher by 23 paise to close at 94.66 against the US dollar, after opening at 94.89 in morning trade.At close, the Sensex was up 790.54 points or 1.04 percent at 76,991.22, and the Nifty was up 197.55 points or 0.83 percent at 24,021.65. About 2107 shares advanced, 1970 shares declined, and 162 shares unchanged.read more :- Weak Monsoon Puts Kharif Crops at Risk

Weak Monsoon Threatens Kharif Crops; Centre Formulates Emergency Plan for 315 DistrictsThe prospect of a weak monsoon this year has raised concerns regarding Kharif crops. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated on Tuesday that the Ministry of Agriculture has prepared emergency plans for districts likely to be affected by deficient rainfall. The government has identified approximately 315 districts where agricultural activities could be impacted by below-normal rainfall.During a review meeting held via video conferencing with state agriculture ministers, senior officials, and district collectors, Chouhan stated that the situation in these districts is being closely monitored. Of these, 111 districts have been placed in the 'high priority' category because irrigation coverage there is 25 percent or less; deficient rainfall in these areas is likely to have a direct impact on crop production.Additionally, 76 districts fall under the 'medium priority' category, with irrigation coverage ranging from 25 to 50 percent. Meanwhile, 128 districts are classified as 'low priority,' as irrigation conditions there are relatively better due to the presence of dams and other water sources. The affected districts span several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.The Agriculture Minister noted that the El Niño effect is considered a contributing factor to the weak monsoon conditions. So far, the country has recorded rainfall that is approximately 43 percent below normal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected rainfall at about 90 percent of the Long Period Average (LPA) for this monsoon season. If this forecast holds true, it could be classified as a 'weak monsoon year' in the long-term context.The sluggish pace of the monsoon could also impact Kharif crop sowing. In light of this, an "El Niño Monitoring Cell" and a "Crop Weather Watch Group" have been established in Delhi to review rainfall, sowing progress, crop conditions, market signals, and the availability of essential commodities. The government has directed states to set up control rooms and appoint nodal officers to ensure better coordination with the Centre. Meanwhile, ICAR and ICAR-CRIDA have prepared agricultural contingency plans for the districts, incorporating measures such as alternative crops, crop diversification, water conservation, and strategies to mitigate risks for farmers.read more :- Kharif Sowing Gains Pace; Cotton Area Declines

Kharif Sowing Picks Up Pace Amid El Niño Concerns; Paddy and ‘Shree Anna’ Show Strong GrowthDespite weather-related challenges like El Niño and uncertainties regarding the monsoon, Kharif crop sowing across the country is progressing at an encouraging pace. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the total area under Kharif crops reached 119.90 lakh hectares by June 19, marking a 1.7 percent increase compared to the 117.95 lakh hectares recorded during the same period last year. This indicates that farmers have continued sowing activities despite apprehensions about the weather.*Significant Drop in Cotton Sowing*On the other hand, cotton cultivation appears sluggish this season. By June 19, the area under cotton stood at 17.13 lakh hectares, down from 22.82 lakh hectares during the same period last year—a decline of approximately 5.69 lakh hectares. Experts attribute this primarily to market and policy-related factors rather than weather conditions. The removal of import duties on cotton has dampened expectations of better prices for farmers, thereby impacting sowing decisions.*Sluggishness in Oilseed Crops Too*The total area under oilseed crops has declined to 7.24 lakh hectares, down from 8.11 lakh hectares last year. Soybean cultivation has seen a reduction of 1.20 lakh hectares, while a slight decline has also been observed in the area under sesame (til) cultivation.*Future Rainfall Will Determine the Outcome*Overall, the start of the Kharif 2026 season shows positive signs. Farmers have maintained the pace of sowing despite fears surrounding El Niño and a weak monsoon. However, rainfall in the coming weeks will determine how sustainable this initial momentum proves to be throughout the season.read more :- BKS Demands Bt Cotton De-notification, Warns Against HT Bt Approval

Demand to De-notify Bt Cotton Seeds; Warning of Agitation if HT Bt Cotton is ApprovedNew Delhi: The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has demanded that the central government immediately de-notify Bt cotton seeds and impose a complete ban on all genetically modified (GM) crops in the country. The organization has warned that it will launch a nationwide agitation if the government approves the controversial herbicide-tolerant (HT) Bt cotton.Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, BKS General Secretary Mohini Mohan Mishra stated that Bt cotton varieties (BG-I and BG-II) have failed to meet farmers' expectations. He alleged that cotton production in the country has declined since the adoption of Bt cotton in 2002, and traditional as well as indigenous cotton varieties have gradually disappeared.Mishra noted that while Bt cotton was promoted as a high-yield technology, this claim did not hold true in reality. He further stated that the technology has failed to control major pests like the pink bollworm. According to him, the neglect of indigenous cotton varieties—which are suited to the country's diverse agro-climatic zones—has adversely affected production.Referring to a letter written to the central government, he urged Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to intervene in the matter. The BKS alleged that farmers have been provided with misleading information regarding GM crops and demanded an investigation into the issue, along with action against those responsible.The organization also stated that the excessive use of chemical products in farming has increased due to the influence of foreign companies. Demanding a ban on chemicals such as glyphosate and paraquat dichloride, Mishra expressed concern over their potential health risks.Speaking on the occasion, Padma Shri-awarded farmer leader Shrirang Dada Lad remarked that instead of relying on GM seeds, cotton farmers should be provided with better indigenous seeds and training in scientific farming techniques. He appealed to the government for support to take his developed cotton production technology to farmers across the country.read more :- Rupee Opens 16 Paise Lower Against Dollar at 94.89

Early Cotton Sowing Proves Costly for Adilabad Farmers; Re-sowing RequiredAdilabad: Farmers in the erstwhile Adilabad district who sowed cotton early this Kharif season are facing losses. In many fields sown during the first week of June, cotton seeds failed to germinate properly due to a lack of adequate moisture and rainfall, forcing farmers to undertake re-sowing.Farmers state that they purchased cotton seeds at a rate of approximately ₹800 per packet. Additionally, they incurred extra expenses on field preparation and labor. The failure of the monsoon to become active on time has increased costs for those who sowed early.According to the Agriculture Department, sowing operations for cotton, red gram (tur), and soybean are currently underway in the district. Although there were one or two spells of rain in some areas, the cotton seeds sown in the initial phase did not receive sufficient moisture. Consequently, germination was poor in many fields, and farmers are having to sow seeds again in the gaps.Unofficial estimates indicate that cotton sowing has been completed on approximately 60 percent of the district's normal cultivation area so far. Last year, cotton was cultivated on about 4.30 lakh acres of land in Adilabad.Marsakola Sarangarao, a farmer from Mamidiguda village in Adilabad Rural Mandal, reported that he sowed cotton on 18 acres of land on June 5. He used 20 packets of seeds and incurred an expenditure of around ₹30,000. However, the lack of rain affected crop germination. He mentioned that he had expected good rainfall after sowing, but that expectation was not met.District Agriculture Officer Ravinder Singh stated that cotton sowing has been completed on 1.60 lakh acres so far, against a target of four lakh acres. He expressed hope that recent rains would improve the germination of seeds sown in the initial phase and boost crop growth. Meanwhile, some farmers are trying to save their crops with the help of sprinkler and drip irrigation.read more :- Rupee Opens 16 Paise Lower Against Dollar at 94.89

The rupee opened 16 paise lower at 94.89 against the USD.On Wednesday, the Indian rupee opened 16 paise lower against the dollar at 94.89, whereas it had closed at 94.73 on Tuesday.READ MORE :- The rupee lower by 04 paise against the dollar to close at 94.73

On Tuesday the Indian Rupee lower by 04 paise to close at 94.73 against the US dollar, after opening at 94.69 in morning trade.The Sensex closed down 893.39 points or 1.16 percent at 76,200.68, while the Nifty fell 278.80 points or 1.16 percent to 23,824.10. About 1,420 shares advanced, 2,678 declined and 150 remained unchanged.read more :- Kharif Sowing Gains Pace; Paddy and Coarse Cereals Lead

Kharif Sowing Picks Up Pace; Paddy and Coarse Cereals Lead; Decline in Oilseeds and CottonNew Delhi: According to the Central Government, the total sowing area for the current Kharif season reached 119.90 lakh hectares by June 19, up from 117.95 lakh hectares during the same period last year.Latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare indicates a significant increase in the sowing of several key crops.The sharpest rise was observed in paddy cultivation. The area under paddy increased from 8.09 lakh hectares last year to 12.36 lakh hectares—an increase of 4.27 lakh hectares.Sowing of pulses, particularly Urad (black gram) and Moong (green gram), also showed improvement; their total area rose from 6.39 lakh hectares to 7.21 lakh hectares.Similarly, a rapid increase was recorded in the sowing of coarse cereals (such as Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi). The area under these crops expanded from 9.82 lakh hectares last year to 12.43 lakh hectares.Sugarcane sowing also saw a marginal increase, with the area rising from 56.64 lakh hectares to 57.31 lakh hectares.However, the sowing of oilseed crops has remained relatively sluggish so far. By June 19, the total area under oilseeds was recorded at 7.24 lakh hectares, compared to 8.11 lakh hectares during the same period last year. Among oilseeds, soybean witnessed the steepest decline, with the sown area dropping from 2.50 lakh hectares to 1.30 lakh hectares.Meanwhile, a significant reduction was also noted in cotton sowing. The area under cotton fell from 22.82 lakh hectares last year to 17.13 lakh hectares—a decrease of 5.69 lakh hectares. These mixed trends in Kharif sowing have emerged at a time when the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has recently approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 Kharif crops for the 2026-27 marketing year.read more :- Surge in Cotton Prices Driven by Monsoon Delay and Global Rally