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Cotton Sowing Gains Momentum in Khargone; 1.05 Lakh Hectares Sown So FarCotton sowing is progressing rapidly in the Khargone district, driven by pre-monsoon activities and favorable weather conditions. To date, cotton has been sown across an area of 1.05 lakh hectares in the district, representing approximately 51 percent of the set target. The highest sowing activity has been recorded in the Kasrawad, Maheshwar, and Barwah regions situated along the Narmada belt.Farmers' inclination toward this crop has increased following the robust government procurement of cotton last year. Consequently, the area under cotton cultivation is estimated to expand by approximately 300 hectares this season. Meanwhile, following the pre-monsoon showers, temperatures have remained between 38 and 39 degrees Celsius—a range considered ideal for cotton sowing. The Agriculture Department anticipates that the scope of sowing will expand further in the coming days.For Khargone—the leading cotton-producing district in Madhya Pradesh—a target of sowing cotton across 2.09 lakh hectares has been set for the current year. Last year, cotton was cultivated across an area of approximately 2.095 lakh hectares in the district.According to Prakash Thakur, Assistant Director of Agriculture, current conditions are favorable for cotton sowing due to the subsiding impact of heatwaves and the availability of adequate soil moisture in areas equipped with irrigation facilities. He further stated that the department is providing continuous guidance to farmers to ensure the achievement of the set target of 2.09 lakh hectares this year.read more :- The rupee ended 08 paise lower at 95.79 against the dollar.

On Thursday the Indian Rupee declined by 08 paise to close at 95.79 against the US dollar, after opening at 95.71  in morning trade.At Close, the Sensex was up 13.84 points or 0.02 percent at 74,360.01, and the Nifty was up 10.95 points or 0.05 percent at 23,416.55. About 2156 shares advanced, 1852 shares declined, and 164 shares unchanged.read more :- Bhilwara Textile Exports Surge on Strong Bangladesh Demand

Bhilwara Successfully Navigates Global Challenges by Boosting Cotton Yarn Exports to BangladeshBhilwara, Rajasthan's premier textile hub, continues to advance on a path of sustained growth despite global economic challenges and ongoing tensions in the Middle East. A remarkable surge in the export of cotton yarn and threads to Bangladesh has injected fresh vigor into the local textile industry. According to industry sources, this rising demand has attracted new investments exceeding ₹3,000 crore to the district—a development expected to generate increased employment opportunities in the near future.While various industries globally have been adversely affected by geopolitical conflicts, escalating transportation costs, and U.S. tariff policies, Bhilwara's textile sector has remained relatively resilient. The district's spinning and denim units have successfully enhanced both their production capacity and product quality by embracing modern technology, automation, and innovation. Consequently, the demand for cotton yarn manufactured in Bhilwara continues to rise steadily across international markets.According to industry sources, cotton yarn production in the district is growing at an annual rate of 15 to 17 percent, while denim production is recording an annual growth of 10 to 12 percent. Bangladesh's ready-made garment industry has become heavily reliant on cotton yarn sourced from Bhilwara. Furthermore, there is significant demand for the yarn produced here in markets such as Egypt, China, Portugal, Sri Lanka, and Morocco. Meanwhile, denim fabric manufactured in the region is finding its way into markets across several Latin American countries.The Central Government's decision to waive the 11 percent import duty on raw cotton is also being viewed as a positive development for the industry. This measure is expected to reduce raw material costs, thereby enabling manufacturers to produce goods at more competitive price points.According to R.K. Jain, Honorary General Secretary of the Mewar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Bhilwara district currently houses and operates over 500 weaving units, 18 spinning units, five denim plants, and 21 processing units. These units produce approximately 1.2 billion meters of fabric annually and provide direct employment to nearly 150,000 people. Driven by rising exports and new investments, the prospects for expansion within the industry are continuously strengthening.read more :- Punjab Cotton Sowing Falls to Record Low in Kharif 2026

Cotton Sowing Hits Record Low in PunjabThe government's efforts in Punjab to promote crop diversification and reduce dependence on water-intensive crops like paddy have suffered a setback. In the 2026-27 Kharif season, cotton sowing has plummeted to a record low. The state government had set a target of cultivating cotton across 1.25 lakh hectares; however, as of June 2, sowing has been completed in only 70,000 hectares—amounting to a mere 56 percent of the set target.According to data from the Agriculture Department, Fazilka district accounts for the largest area under cotton cultivation, spanning 40,000 hectares. This is followed by the districts of Bathinda, Mansa, and Sri Muktsar Sahib, where sowing has been recorded across approximately 10,000 hectares each. Officials state that the final figures will emerge after June 15; however, the likelihood of a significant increase in acreage remains slim, as farmers are increasingly distancing themselves from cotton cultivation.According to agricultural experts, adverse weather conditions over the past several years—coupled with pest infestations such as whitefly and pink bollworm, as well as financial losses—have eroded farmers' confidence. While there was no major pest outbreak in 2025, unseasonal rains during the cotton harvesting period in October inflicted severe damage upon the crops. Consequently, both production levels and farmers' incomes were adversely affected.Charanjit Singh, Deputy Director (Cotton) at the Punjab Agriculture Department, stated that the decline in cotton acreage would likely drive more farmers toward paddy cultivation, thereby placing additional pressure on groundwater resources. He noted that the government is making continuous efforts to reduce the area under paddy cultivation and promote alternative crops.Experts believe that new hybrid cotton varieties—characterized by superior pest resistance and high productivity—could potentially help regain farmers' confidence in the future. However, issues such as counterfeit seeds, market prices falling below the Minimum Support Price (MSP), and persistent crop-related risks continue to remain the primary concerns for farmers.read more :- Rupee Opens Steady at 95.71 Against US Dollar

The rupee opened steady at 95.71 against the dollar.On Thursday, the Indian rupee opened at 95.71 against the dollar, whereas it had closed at 95.71 on Wednesday.READ MORE :- New US Tariff Proposal May Impact India Amid Ongoing Trade Talks

New US Tariffs Loom Over 60 Nations, Including India; US Team Active in Delhi Amidst Trade TalksThe United States is preparing to impose new import duties (tariffs) on at least 60 trading partner nations, a list that includes India. President Donald Trump's administration is considering taking action against countries accused of failing to prevent the importation of products linked to forced labor. According to a recent report by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the proposed tariffs could range between 10 percent and 12.5 percent. It is proposed that an additional duty of 10 percent be levied on Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, while a 12.5 percent duty is proposed for nations such as India, China, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and Switzerland.These duties will not take effect immediately. They will first be subject to a public comment period and a comprehensive review process; a final decision will be reached only thereafter. If implemented, this measure could enable the Trump administration to circumvent certain legal constraints placed on tariff policies following recent Supreme Court rulings.This entire process stems from an investigation initiated under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974. The investigation assessed whether trading partner nations have implemented adequate restrictions on the importation of goods produced using forced labor. According to the USTR, 54 economies—including several major nations such as India—have failed to take effective action in this regard.USTR officials have stated that this situation creates unfair competition for American workers within the global trade arena. However, the proposed tariffs do include certain exemptions, such as for beef, coffee, select fruits and nuts, as well as products from Canada and Mexico that fall under the purview of USMCA regulations.Meanwhile, a US trade delegation led by chief negotiator Brendan Lynch is currently in New Delhi, engaged in negotiations with India regarding a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The Indian delegation is being led by Darpan Jain, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce. Both countries are discussing issues such as market access, tariff reductions, non-tariff barriers, and economic security.According to a joint statement issued in February, the US is considering reducing tariffs on Indian goods to approximately 18 percent. If this agreement moves forward, it could signal relief for Indian exporters, who had previously been facing pressure from high tariffs.read more :- The rupee ended 26 paise lower at 95.71 against the dollar.

On Wednesday the Indian Rupee declined by 26 paise to close at 95.71 against the US dollar, after opening at 95.45  in morning trade.At close, the Sensex was down 303.67 points or 0.41 percent at 74,346.17, and the Nifty was down 77.95 points or 0.33 percent at 23,405.60. About 1714 shares advanced, 2318 shares declined, and 167 shares unchanged.read more :- Cotton and Yarn Prices Fall After Import Duty Waiver

Cotton Prices Drop Following Government Decision; 3% Decline RecordedThe impact of the Government of India's decision to suspend the 11% import duty on cotton until October has become immediately visible in the market. Following this announcement, a decline of approximately 3% has been recorded in the prices of both cotton and yarn. Industry experts believe that prices could witness a further reduction of 1–2% in the coming days.Over the past three months, cotton prices had surged by nearly 27%. The price of 29mm cotton rose from ₹54,200 per candy in February to reach ₹69,200 per candy by mid-May. However, due to a softening in the international market, prices had already eased somewhat to hover around ₹65,000 per candy. On Monday, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) reduced the price of cotton by ₹700 per candy to ₹64,300, while yarn prices were cut by ₹10 per kilogram.K. Selvaraju, Secretary General of the Southern India Mills Association (SIMA), stated that cotton prices are now softening, and spinning mills have been advised to lower yarn prices. The industry believes that the removal of the import duty will boost market availability and curb hoarding.The textile industry had long been demanding the removal of this duty. Industry bodies argue that Indian exporters were losing ground in competition against countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam, where no duties are levied on imported cotton. The rising cost of raw materials has also impacted the competitiveness of Indian yarn and textile exports.However, this decision has raised concerns among farmers. This step has been taken at a time when the government has announced a ₹5,659 crore 'Cotton Productivity Mission' aimed at boosting domestic production. Nevertheless, industry representatives maintain that the suspension of the import duty is for a limited period, and the 7% hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) will provide farmers with protection against potential price pressures.read more :- Manvat APMC Sets Record With 4.36LakhQuintals Cotton Procurement

Maharashtra: Record Cotton Procurement at Manvat APMCParbhani (Maharashtra): The Manvat Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Parbhani district has set a new record for procurement during the current cotton marketing season. Despite a decline in production, the market witnessed a significant increase in cotton arrivals and trading activities. Over a period of approximately seven months—from November 13, 2025, to May 30, 2026—a total of 4.36 lakh quintals of cotton were procured; this is being hailed as a significant milestone in the history of the Manvat market.This season, cotton production in several regions was adversely affected by climate change, unseasonal rains, and outbreaks of pests and diseases. Despite these challenges, the Manvat market continued to witness a steady influx of farmers. Thanks to a transparent auction system, timely payments, and competitive rates, farmers' confidence in the market grew consistently, leading to a remarkable surge in trading transactions.Throughout the season, there was fierce competition for cotton procurement between the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and private traders. The CCI procured 1,63,647 quintals of cotton at rates ranging from ₹7,500 to ₹8,000 per quintal. However, after the CCI halted its procurement operations post-February, private traders stepped up their activity in the market. The private sector procured over 2.72 lakh quintals of cotton, thereby sustaining market demand and driving a continuous upward trend in prices.At the beginning of the season, cotton prices hovered around ₹7,500 per quintal; however, driven by rising demand and favorable market conditions, prices gradually climbed. During the final phase of the season, cotton prices crossed the historic threshold of ₹10,000 per quintal for the very first time. Nevertheless, since most farmers had already sold their produce by that time, only a limited number of growers were able to capitalize on these elevated prices.Attracted by the Manvat market's transparent public auction system and prompt payment mechanism, farmers from neighboring districts—including Beed, Jalna, and Nanded—as well as those from Parbhani itself, flocked to the market to sell their produce. Consequently, the market recorded a record volume of cotton arrivals this year. According to experts, global factors—such as international production, import-export policies, demand within the textile industry, and the dollar exchange rate—also influence cotton prices.Pankaj Ambegaonkar, Chairman of the Mandi Committee, stated that the record-breaking procurement and arrivals serve as a testament to the farmers' confidence. He noted that the committee has consistently accorded the highest priority to the interests of farmers, and it is precisely due to this transparent system that the Mandi has achieved such success.read more :- Rupee Opens 18 Paise Lower Against US Dollar at 95.45

The Rupee opened 18 paise lower at 95.45 against the USD.On Wednesday, the Indian Rupee opened 18 paise lower against the Dollar at 95.45, whereas it had closed at 95.27 on Tuesday.READ MORE :- India’s Exports See Strong FY27 Start Amid FTA Push

Strong Growth in India's Exports at the Start of FY27; Government Accelerates Initiatives for FTA ExpansionThe beginning of the 2026-27 fiscal year (FY27) has been positive for India's export sector. According to a senior government official, the country's exports recorded double-digit growth during April and May 2026. The Ministry of Commerce is set to release trade figures for the month of May on June 15, a release expected to provide detailed confirmation of this trend.In April 2026, India's exports surged by 13.78 percent to reach $43.56 billion—the highest monthly figure recorded in the last four years. The recovery in petroleum product exports and elevated international crude oil prices played a significant role in driving this growth. However, imports also witnessed a sharp increase during the same period, causing the trade deficit to widen to $28.38 billion—the highest level seen in the last three months.The government is actively pursuing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) as a key strategy to boost exports and strengthen India's market share in the global arena. In line with this objective, the Ministry of Commerce is currently working on a plan to recruit approximately 1,000 personnel to raise awareness regarding FTAs across the country. Candidates proficient in various Indian languages will be required for these positions, and the formalities regarding the recruitment process are currently underway.Currently, India has operational FTAs with several countries and blocs, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Australia, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and Mauritius. Furthermore, agreements with the United Kingdom (UK), New Zealand, and the European Union (EU) are in their final stages of negotiation.According to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, India has concluded nine Free Trade Agreements over the past three and a half years, covering approximately 38 developed nations. He asserts that these agreements are facilitating improved access for Indian goods and services in global markets and collectively impact a significant portion of global trade. The government aims to achieve exports of $1 trillion in the current year and $2 trillion over the next five years. In pursuit of this objective, trade negotiations are being accelerated with Israel, Canada, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Russia, Central Asian nations, and other partners.read more :- Maharashtra Launches Cotton Revolution Scheme in 19 Districts