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Dhar Sets 5.14 Lakh Hectare Cotton Target for Kharif SeasonDhar :The Agriculture Department in Dhar has started preparations for the upcoming Kharif season. The department has set a target of 5 lakh 14 thousand hectares for cotton sowing this year. After the last phase of government wheat procurement, farmers will start preparing for sowing of Kharif crops from May 5.According to the Agriculture Department, there is a possibility of increase in cotton acreage this time. The department will provide seeds and necessary agricultural material to the farmers on time, so that sowing can be completed on time.The target is to sow various Kharif crops in about 5 lakh 14 thousand 675 hectares of area in the district. For the last two-three years, due to low yield and limited price of soybean, farmers have become disillusioned with this crop. However, due to lack of options, soybean will still remain the main crop.The trend of farmers of the area is moving away from soybean towards cotton and maize. It is estimated that this year the cotton acreage may increase up to five thousand hectares. Seeds are available in sufficient quantity in the market, but the price of cotton seeds has increased compared to last year, which is a matter of concern for the farmers. Target for Kharif crops (in hectares) will be Soybean: 3,05,000, Cotton: 1,10,000.read more :-Cotton Seed Sale: Cotton Seed Sale from May 15

Cotton Seed Sale Starts May 15The Agriculture Department is taking precautions to ensure that farmers sow cotton only after June 1, as sowing of cotton before June leads to pink bollworm infestation. In this backdrop, the Agriculture Department has clarified that cotton seeds for this year's (2025-26) season will be sold to farmers after May 15.Cotton is cultivated in about four million hectares of area in the state. This number decreases every year. The area under cotton cultivation is increasing, mainly in Marathwada and Vidarbha, but now also in Western Maharashtra. In the year 2017, there was a massive outbreak of pink bollworm in the state.This caused damage to cotton. Farmers suffered huge financial losses. After this, the government took steps to reduce the outbreak of pink bollworm between 2018 and 2024. Under this, it was ensured that cotton is not sown before June 1.It appears that the outbreak will reduce significantly in the 2024-25 season. According to cotton scientists, failure to break the life cycle of the pink bollworm can increase the risk of infection. Therefore, this year too the agriculture department is taking care to ensure that pre-season cotton is not sown, which is one of the many measures to control the pink bollworm.Therefore, it has been announced that the seeds will be sold only after May 15, and the agriculture officers and staff of that area should take strict care to ensure that planting is done only after June 1, the director of quality control inputs has said. Action will be taken if the seeds are sold within the stipulated time.This is the plan.- 1st May to 10th May: From manufacturing company to distributor- 10th May onwards: From distributors to retailers- 15th May onwards: From retailers to farmers- Actual planting: After 1st JuneFarmers will get cotton seeds in the market after 15th May for this season. Farmers should sow cotton after 1st June instead of pre-season sowing to prevent the spread of pink bollworm. The pink bollworm infestation has reduced since pre-season sowing of cotton has been stopped.read more :- Cotton cultivation to rise in Adilabad in Kharif Telangana

Cotton Acreage to Rise in Adilabad This KharifAdilabad: The agriculture department is taking steps to make available cotton seed varieties preferred by farmers in the market for Kharif, to avoid protests. Last year, there were protests in Adilabad district for Rasi 659 cotton seed variety packets. The officials will inform farmers about the stock. Agriculture officials prepared an action plan for Kharif and estimated that cotton crop will be cultivated in 4.40 lakh acres in Adilabad district. The area under cotton cultivation may increase in Kharif.Farmers had staged protests in Adilabad assembly constituency demanding supply of Rasi 659. The variety was most preferred by farmers, leading to shortage. District officials engaged seed distributors and enquired about the availability of seeds at their stores. Agriculture extension officials will prepare village-wise schedules for cotton seed purchase on any given day to prevent ruckus and unwanted incidents during seed purchase. The officials are going to form committees comprising police, agriculture officials and revenue officials and conduct raids on godowns to prevent seeds from going illegally into the black market and creating artificial shortage. District Agriculture Officer Sridhar Swamy said they have estimated that 11,00,000 cotton seed packets would be required to grow the crop on 4.40 lakh acres in Adilabad district and added that seed distributors would make available 21,60,000 cotton seed packets of different varieties in the market for the benefit of farmers.read more :-Indian rupee opens 8 paise higher at 84.48 against US dollar

Rupee Opens Stronger, Gains 8 Paise to 84.48 Against US DollarIndian rupee opened marginally higher at 84.48 per dollar on Monday versus Friday's close of 84.56.read more :-Farmers should not sow cotton due to high temperature in the district: Deputy Director Agriculture

Farmers Advised to Avoid Cotton Sowing Amid HeatwaveMost of the farmers in the district sow cotton crop in the month of May. Currently, the temperature in the district is 36 to 42 degrees. Hot wind is blowing. In such a situation, the germination of cotton seeds and the growth of plants can be adversely affected. Farmers should sow cotton only after June 1 or when the temperature is low. There is a high possibility of pink bollworm if cotton is sown early. Cotton seeds have started coming to private sellers in the district.Deputy Director Agriculture RL Jamre said this to the farmers while giving information about sowing. Farmers have been appealed to buy seeds on bill from registered private sellers of the district only at high quality and fixed price. The government has fixed the price of BG-1 cotton seed at Rs 635 per packet and BG-2 cotton seed at Rs 901 per packet. If any private seed seller in the district sells at a higher rate than this, then complain to the Block Agriculture Officer or Nodal Officer of the District Office. If any seed seller in the district is found selling cotton seeds at a price higher than the prescribed price, action will be taken under the Seed Act.According to the District Agricultural Meteorological Unit of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Barwani, there is a possibility of light clouds in the district from May 3 to May 7 in the coming days. The relative humidity in the air is likely to be 41 to 63 percent in the morning and 19 to 35 percent in the afternoon. The maximum temperature will be between 40 to 42 degrees and the minimum temperature will be between 23 to 26 degrees and there will be a possibility of western wind blowing at 10 to 12 km per hour. There is a forecast of light rain on May 5 and 6. Due to the formation of a system, there is a possibility of light and heavy rain in the district along with strong winds including thunder and lightning.read more :-Weekly Summary Report: Cotton Bales Sold by Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)

Weekly Cotton Bale Sales Summary – CCICotton Corporation of India (CCI) conducted online bidding for cotton bales throughout the week, with the daily sales summary being as follows:April 28, 2025: CCI sold a total of 62,300 bales - comprising 61,100 bales (2024-25 season) and 1200 bales (2023-24 season). The Mills session sales sold 37,600 bales (2024-25) and 800 bales (2023-24). While the Traders session sold 23,500 bales (2024-25) and 400 bales (2023-24).29 April 2025: Total sales were 31,800 bales (2024-25 season), including 17,000 bales in Mills session and 14,800 bales in Traders session.30 April 2025: Total sales were 12,900 bales (2024-25 season), including 6,800 bales in Mills session and 6,100 bales in Traders session.02 May 2025: The week concluded with sales of 1500 bales (2024-25 season) including 1,500 bales in Mills session and no sales in Traders session.Weekly Total:During the full week, CCI sold around 1,08,500 cotton bales successfully using its online bidding platform to streamline sales and facilitate smooth trade operations.Stay tuned with SiS for real time updates on textile industry.read more :-Rupee lower 54 Paisa Against Dollar, Closes at 84.56

The Indian rupee ended 54 paisa down on Friday at 84.56 to the dollar, while it opened at 84.02 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was up 259.75 points or 0.32 percent at 80,501.99, and the Nifty was up 12.50 points or 0.05 percent at 24,346.70. About 1672 shares advanced, 2122 shares declined, and 134 shares unchanged.read more :-Innovative Sustainable Fashion Leader Liz Hershfield Named Cotton Council International (CCI) Executive Director

Innovative Sustainable Fashion Leader Liz Hershfield Named Cotton Council International (CCI) Executive DirectorWASHINGTON, May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fashion industry veteran and sustainability expert Liz Hershfield will lead Cotton Council International (CCI), the export promotion arm of the National Cotton Council of America (NCC), as its new Executive Director. Hershfield succeeds Bruce Atherley, who retired at the end of March.Liz Hershfield Named Cotton Council International (CCI) Executive Director"Strong leadership and innovative strategies are essential to maintaining U.S. cotton's competitive edge," NCC President & CEO Gary Adams said. "Liz is well poised to enhance COTTON USA™ programs by communicating U.S. cotton's benefits, giving U.S. cotton growers more opportunities to thrive in the complex global market."Hershfield's specialized expertise in sustainability, global sourcing, product development and end-to-end supply chain strategy, alongside extensive experience with U.S. cotton, will advance CCI in leading the world to cotton's next level through its COTTON USA™ brand and help drive global U.S. cotton initiatives."There's never been a more important time to champion U.S. cotton," Hershfield said. "U.S. cotton has an incredible story to tell—rooted in quality, innovation and an unwavering commitment to sustainability, underscored by trust earned through reliable COTTON USA™ partnerships.I'm honored to join the talented team at CCI to bolster growth in demand and preference for U.S. cotton across the global textile supply chain."Throughout her distinguished career, Hershfield has spearheaded supply chain and sustainability initiatives for globally established brands such as J.Crew, Madewell and Gap Inc. She also founded Green-ish, a consultancy that helps businesses navigate the complexities of environmental, social and governance (ESG) and supply chain management.Her contributions to sustainable fashion have earned her widespread recognition, including the prestigious Textile Exchange Ryan Young Climate+ Award for her pioneering regenerative cotton program supporting U.S. cotton farmers. Hershfield was also honored with The Lead's "The Direct 60" award and named to the Rivet 50 Index for her leadership in the denim industry.In her new role as CCI Executive Director, Hershfield will leverage her vast experience with U.S. cotton and her proven track record in sustainable fashion and supply chain management to globally elevate "The COTTON USA™ Difference" of superior U.S. cotton plus unrivalled partnership across the global textile supply chain.About COTTON USA™: Cotton Council International (CCI) is a non-profit agricultural trade association that promotes U.S. cotton fiber, yarn and manufactured cotton products around the globe under our COTTON USA™ brand. With nearly 70 years of experience, our mission is to make U.S. cotton the preferred fiber for mills/manufacturers, brands/retailers and consumers. Our reach extends to more than 50 countries through 20 offices around the world.read more :-Indian rupee opens 47 paise higher at 84.02 against US dollar

In relation to the US dollar, the rupee opens 47 paise higher at 84.02.Indian rupee opened 47 paise higher at 84.02 per dollar on Friday versus Wednesday's close of 84.49.read more :-Indian Rupee higher 66 Paisa, Ends at 84.49 per Dollar

The Indian rupee on wednesday higher 66 paise to close at 84.49 per dollar, while it opened at 85.15 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was down 46.14 points or 0.06 percent at 80,242.24, and the Nifty was down 1.75 points or 0.01 percent at 24,334.20. About 938 shares advanced, 2828 shares declined, and 141 shares unchanged.read more:-Cotton Falls On Profit Booking Despite CAI’s Forecast Of Lower Domestic Crop Output

Cotton Slips on Profit Booking Despite Lower Crop Forecast Cottoncandy prices fell by 1.14% to ₹54,670 amid profit booking, following a recent bullish streak driven by concerns over a shrinking domestic crop. The Cotton Association of India (CAI) revised its production forecast downward by 4 lakh bales to 291.30 lakh bales (170 kg each), largely due to reduced output in Maharashtra. Previously, CAI estimated production at 295.30 lakh bales. Despite the lower crop outlook, prices saw limited upside due to weak mill demand and ample current stocks. As of March-end, total cotton supply, including imports and opening stocks, stood at 306.83 lakh bales. Imports for the current season are expected to surge to 33 lakh bales, more than doubling from 15.20 lakh bales last year, reflecting heightened concerns over crop shrinkage. Meanwhile, exports are projected to decline sharply to 16 lakh bales, down from 28.36 lakh bales a year earlier. The estimated closing stock for 2024–25 has been lowered to 23.49 lakh bales from 30.19 lakh bales last year, indicating tightening domestic availability by season end. On the global front, the U.S. balance sheet shows a marginal reduction in exports and a corresponding increase in ending stocks. Global production and consumption forecasts have also been reduced, particularly due to lower demand from China and Indonesia, with minor gains in Turkey. Technically, the market is undergoing long liquidation, with open interest falling by 1.18% to 251. Support lies at ₹53,940, with further downside potential to ₹53,220, while resistance is seen at ₹55,440, and a break above could take prices to ₹56,220.read more :-Indian Rupee Rises 10 Paise to Open at 85.15 Against US Dollar