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64% of Kharif Sowing Completed in Sendhwa Block; Farmers Showing Increased Interest in Cotton Alongside MaizeSendhwa: With the onset of the monsoon, the sowing of Kharif crops has gained momentum in the Sendhwa block of Madhya Pradesh. According to the Agriculture Department, sowing has been completed across 38,426 hectares so far, representing approximately 64 percent of the total 60,097-hectare Kharif acreage. The department estimates that, provided weather conditions remain favorable, sowing will be fully completed within the next week.Data from the Agriculture Department indicates that farmers are showing an increased inclination towards cotton cultivation alongside maize this year. Maize sowing has been completed on 14,170 hectares so far; for comparison, the maize acreage during the same period last year was 21,800 hectares. Meanwhile, sowing of the cash crop cotton has reached 7,581 hectares this season, compared to 10,830 hectares last year.Among oilseed crops, soybean sowing has been recorded across 5,246 hectares. Regarding pulse crops, Arhar (pigeon pea) has been sown on 2,370 hectares, Urad (black gram) on 2,365 hectares, and Moong (green gram) on 2,289 hectares. Additionally, sorghum (Jowar) sowing has been completed on 2,744 hectares. The Agriculture Department states that if rainfall continues in the coming days, sowing in the remaining areas is likely to be completed rapidly.To boost cotton yields, farmers are being encouraged to adopt the High-Density Planting System (HDPS) technique. The district administration and the Agriculture Department are providing training and technical guidance on this modern method. Under this technique, plants are spaced more closely together, thereby increasing the plant population per hectare. Scientific practices such as balanced fertilizer management, timely irrigation, weed control, and plant topping offer the potential for superior quality and higher yields.D.S. Ganava, Senior Agricultural Development Officer (SADO) of the Sendhwa Agriculture Department, stated that over 64 percent of the Kharif sowing in the block has been completed so far. He added that if weather conditions remain favorable and rainfall continues regularly, the sowing of Kharif crops across the entire block is expected to be completed within the next week.READ MORE:-Kharif Sowing Nears Completion in Manawar as Cotton and Soybean Cover 28,000 Hectares

Kharif sowing nearly complete in Manawar; cotton and soybean cultivated across 28,000 hectares; rainfall benefits cropsManawar: Sowing for the Kharif season is nearing completion in the Manawar region of Madhya Pradesh. This year, farmers have sown major Kharif crops across an area of approximately 28,000 hectares. This includes about 21,000 hectares dedicated to cotton and over 7,000 hectares to soybean cultivation. Rainfall exceeding one inch over the past 24 hours has ensured adequate soil moisture, significantly benefiting the initial growth of the crops.According to the Agriculture Department, the timely onset of the monsoon allowed farmers to complete sowing operations within the scheduled timeframe. Recent rains have notably improved soybean germination, and plant growth in the fields appears satisfactory.Mahesh Barman, Senior Agricultural Development Officer (SADO) of the Agriculture Department, stated that the moisture received during the initial stage is highly beneficial for crop development. He noted that most farmers have now begun spraying necessary chemicals for weed control and the management of pests and diseases. Timely execution of these agricultural activities increases the likelihood of improved crop quality and higher yields.Local farmer Raju Deora mentioned that the rain, which began on Tuesday evening, continued steadily through Wednesday. With overcast skies persisting throughout the day, farmers are optimistic about receiving good rainfall in the coming days. He stated that if adequate rainfall continues for the remainder of July, both cotton and soybean crops will thrive, potentially leading to increased production.Agricultural experts believe that sufficient moisture during the early stages of crop growth is crucial for a good harvest. The Agriculture Department has advised farmers to regularly inspect their fields, prevent waterlogging, and immediately implement control measures upon noticing early signs of weeds, pests, or diseases. Officials state that scientific crop management and timely care can help reduce production costs while ensuring better yields. Taking advantage of favorable weather conditions, farmers are also engaged in the regular monitoring of crops and necessary agricultural activities in the coming days.READ MORE :- Cotton Sowing Gains Momentum in July, Still Behind Last Year Despite Better Monsoon

Cotton Sowing Picks Up Pace in July but Lags Behind Last Year; Momentum Boosted by Improved MonsoonNew Delhi: Cotton sowing across the country has accelerated in July following the revival of the southwest monsoon. However, the total sown area remains lower compared to the previous year. Agriculture Commissioner P.K. Singh stated that improved rainfall has boosted the pace of sowing in major cotton-producing states, and this gap is expected to narrow further in the coming days.According to the Agriculture Commissioner, cotton had been sown across 63.18 lakh hectares by July 5, whereas the figure stood at 82 lakh hectares during the same period last year. While the season started slowly, farmers have ramped up sowing activities following good rainfall in July.He noted that cotton sowing in India takes place at different times across various states. It begins in Punjab and Haryana before extending to Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Under normal circumstances, cotton sowing concludes by July 15; however, due to the delayed monsoon this year, the deadline has been extended to July 30.An agricultural trader from Ahmedabad reported a significant surge in cotton sowing recently, driven by good rainfall in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka. He mentioned that some farmers are shifting from paddy to cotton and pulses in anticipation of better prices. Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, many farmers have resumed cotton sowing after reporting poor germination of soybean crops.Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the central region of Madhya Pradesh are the most critical areas among India's major cotton-producing regions. Other key producing states include Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. According to the latest estimates from the Ministry of Agriculture, the country's cotton production for the year 2025-26 is projected at 290.91 lakh bales (170 kg per bale), down from 297.24 lakh bales in the previous year.P.K. Singh noted that the pace of sowing during the Kharif season is highest in July. While sowing covers an average of approximately 50 lakh hectares per week in June, this figure rises to between 200 and 250 lakh hectares per week in July. He stated that an accurate assessment of production and productivity would only be possible after sowing is completed. The government verifies sowing data through preliminary estimates, remote sensing, and block-level digital crop surveys.READ MORE :- Kharif Sowing Nears Completion in Maharashtra's Kej Taluka, Soybean Covers 64,000 Hectares

Kharif Sowing Gains Momentum in Maharashtra's Kej Taluka; Cultivation Across 70,000 Hectares, with 64,000 Hectares Dedicated to SoybeanKej (Beed): Sowing for the Kharif season is nearly complete in Kej Taluka, located in Maharashtra's Beed district, thanks to favorable monsoon rains this year. According to Agriculture Department data, Kharif crops have been sown across an area of 69,813 hectares so far. Soybean accounts for the largest share, covering 64,215 hectares, whereas cotton cultivation is limited to just 1,943 hectares. This clearly indicates that farmers continue to place their greatest trust in soybean crops.Farmers had begun preparations for the Kharif season—including field ploughing and the procurement of seeds and fertilizers—as early as the last week of May. Following good rainfall over three consecutive days starting June 6, farmers commenced large-scale sowing of soybean and other Kharif crops. While the initial rains facilitated good progress, a subsequent dry spell lasting about 15 days slowed the pace of sowing. Many farmers had paused sowing operations while waiting for the next round of rain.Once good rainfall resumed after June 20, farmers rapidly accelerated field activities, leading to a swift expansion of the sown area. Consequently, the total area under Kharif crops in the taluka reached 69,813 hectares. In addition to soybean, crops such as green gram (moong), black gram (urad), pigeon pea (arhar), and maize were also sown, though their acreage remains significantly lower compared to soybean. Cotton cultivation also remained confined to a limited area.Soybean and other crops sown during the first week of June have germinated well. However, the mid-season break in rainfall raised concerns about potential impacts on crop growth. Many farmers attempted to save their crops by irrigating them using available water sources. Soybean crops sown during the last week of June have also sprouted, and the fields are now showing signs of greenery. Farmers are currently pinning their hopes on good rainfall. Although the region has remained cloudy for the past week, there has been no significant rainfall. Farmers state that if there is good rain during the second half of July, the growth of all Kharif crops—including soybeans—will improve, raising the likelihood of higher yields. Agricultural experts also believe that if timely rainfall continues, Kharif production in Kej Taluka is expected to be satisfactory this year.READ MORE :- Strong Monsoon Boosts Kharif Sowing in Maharashtra; Coverage Reaches 45% in One Week

Strong Monsoon Accelerates Kharif Sowing in Maharashtra; Coverage Jumps from 20% to 45% in a WeekNashik: An active monsoon and consistent, good rainfall across Maharashtra have accelerated the sowing of Kharif crops. According to the latest data from the State Agriculture Department, Kharif sowing coverage rose from 20% of the total acreage on July 1 to 45% by July 7. Officials state that if the current rainfall pattern continues, sowing operations will gain further momentum.Sowing has been completed on approximately 6.5 million (65 lakh) hectares out of the state's average Kharif area of 14.4 million (144 lakh) hectares (excluding sugarcane). Division-wise, Amravati leads the state with 58% of its area sown. This is followed by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar at 53% and the Nashik division at 50%.The Nashik division—comprising Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon, and Nandurbar districts—has witnessed a significant surge in sowing following recent rains. Here, sowing has been completed on approximately 1.02 million (10.24 lakh) hectares out of an average Kharif area of 2.03 million (20.33 lakh) hectares. Conversely, the pace of sowing remains slow in the Konkan region, with only 4% coverage recorded against an average area of 0.39 million (3.92 lakh) hectares. Sowing completion stands at 28% in the Pune division and 22% in the Kolhapur division.Soybean, cotton, maize, paddy, sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), green gram (moong), and black gram (urad) are the major Kharif crops in Maharashtra. Soybean and cotton dominate the landscape, together accounting for over 62% of the state's total Kharif acreage. Soybean sowing has been completed on 2.36 million (23.58 lakh) hectares—approximately 50%—of the estimated 4.72 million (47.21 lakh) hectare area. Meanwhile, cotton sowing has been completed across 25.38 lakh hectares—approximately 60% of the target area of 42.47 lakh hectares.Maize sowing is also progressing well; so far, planting has been completed on 5.71 lakh hectares (61%) out of the estimated 9.33 lakh hectares. However, paddy transplantation is still in its initial stage, with work completed on only 1.40 lakh hectares (9%) out of the estimated 15.02 lakh hectares.Maharashtra recorded 290.7 mm of rainfall between June 1 and July 7, which is 103% of the normal 282.3 mm. The Agriculture Department believes that if this trend of above-normal rainfall continues, sowing for the Kharif season will be completed on time, and production prospects will be bolstered.READ MORE :- Cotton Sowing Gains Pace; July 30 Target in Sight

Cotton Sowing Picks Up Pace; Target Likely to be Met by July 30 – Atulbhai GanatraMr. Atulbhai Ganatra, CMD of Radha Laxmi Group and former CAI President, shared key insights on the "Impact of Monsoon on Cotton Sowing & Farmers' Mood for Crop Switch" during an interview with CNBC Awaaz on July 9, 2026.He noted that while there had been earlier discussions regarding a 20–30% deficit in Kharif crop sowing, the situation has improved significantly following good and widespread rainfall across various regions of the country in recent days.According to data available as of July 9, 2026, cotton sowing had covered approximately 7.2 million hectares (72 lakh hectares) by the same period last year; in the current season, the figure has reached approximately 6.6 million hectares (66 lakh hectares). This means the sown area is now lagging behind last year's figures by only about 9%.He further mentioned that good rainfall has been recorded in the Central and South Zones over the past few days. According to the Meteorological Department, a "pause period" in rainfall is expected over the next 8–10 days, providing farmers with ample opportunity to accelerate sowing operations. Consequently, the total cotton sowing acreage could rise well beyond initial estimates.He highlighted that record sales of cotton seeds have taken place this year, indicating that farmers possess adequate seed stocks. Farmers are simply waiting for the rain to subside and for field conditions to become favorable so they can rapidly complete the sowing process. He estimates that the national target for cotton sowing could be achieved by July 30.The Government of India has set a cotton sowing target of 12.5–13.0 million hectares (125–130 lakh hectares) for the current year. Given the prevailing conditions, it is expected that cotton sowing across approximately 10 million hectares (100 lakh hectares) will be completed by July 20–25. Mr. Ganatra stated that it is well known that when the monsoon is delayed or rainfall is deficient, farmers prioritize cotton over other Kharif crops; this is because cotton can be successfully cultivated with relatively less water compared to crops like soybean, sugarcane, maize, and groundnut.He also noted that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton has been raised by approximately 7% this year, whereas the MSP for other crops like groundnut has seen an increase of only about 3%. Furthermore, in the previous season, farmers fetched market prices of up to ₹10,000 per quintal for cotton. Reports indicate that farmers have purchased record quantities of cotton seeds for sowing this year, clearly signaling a natural shift towards cotton cultivation this season.He also mentioned that cotton sowing in South India (South Zone) has so far been about 20% higher than in the same period last year, reflecting a positive trend among farmers and favorable conditions.He specifically highlighted that the cotton sowing window in Gujarat remains open until August 15. Therefore, considering current conditions, farmer interest, and record seed sales, it is estimated that the total area under cotton cultivation this season could be 10–15% higher than last year.

On Friday, the Indian rupee opened at 95.32 against the US dollar and closed at 95.26,lower by 06 paise by the end of the trading session.At close, the Sensex was up 827.57 points or 1.08 percent at 77,569.39, and the Nifty was up 244.10 points or 1.02 percent at 24,206.90. About 2756 shares advanced, 1316 shares declined, and 171 shares unchanged.

Giriraj Singh reviewed major schemes of textile sector, laid emphasis on the role of ITADCsNew Delhi, July 9 (PTI): Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday assessed the progress of key initiatives aimed at technology upgradation, institutional reforms and better support to the industry at a high-level review meeting. The objective of the meeting was to make India's textile ecosystem more robust and competitive.The meeting reviewed the progress in converting old Powerloom Service Centers into Integrated Textile and Apparel Development Centers (ITADCs). These centers are being developed as one-stop facilitation centers for the textile industry, where services like skill development, product testing, design assistance, technical support, credit facilities, export promotion and market linkages will be provided to entrepreneurs, MSMEs and other stakeholders.During the first quarter of FY 2026-27, ITADCs trained more than 1,170 people and reached out to about 1,770 textile units through outreach programmes. Apart from this, institutional credit, e-commerce linkages, product-based entrepreneurship and commercialization of new fibers like bamboo, hemp, flax, banana and pineapple were also promoted.Giriraj Singh said that ITADCs are no longer just service centres, but are evolving into innovation and enterprise development centres. He expressed confidence that these centers will play an important role in empowering MSMEs, increasing exports, creating sustainable employment and making India's textile sector more competitive globally.The Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) was also reviewed in the meeting. According to the ministry, subsidy worth Rs 2,776 crore was provided to 10,061 units under the scheme, attracting investment of over Rs 53,121 crore. Through the scheme, about 6.7 lakh modern textile machines were installed and about 3.6 lakh direct employment was created. The study also found that every Rs 1 crore of subsidy resulted in private investment of about Rs 19 crore, indicating the effectiveness of the scheme.READ MORE :- Cotton, Soybean Sowing Gains Pace

Kharif: Cotton and soybean sowing gains momentum with the arrival of the monsoon; total acreage may surpass last year's levelsSowing of Kharif crops has accelerated as the Southwest monsoon has covered the entire country. Cultivation of cotton and soybean has picked up pace. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and SOPA, good rainfall has boosted farmer interest and strengthened production prospects.The Southwest monsoon has now reached the entire country. On July 9, it advanced into the remaining parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab, as well as the northern Arabian Sea, completing its nationwide coverage. This has raised expectations for an acceleration in Kharif crop sowing.Driven by good rainfall, cotton sowing—which was lagging 23 percent behind last year's figures—has gained momentum. As of July 5, the total cotton acreage stood at 63.18 lakh hectares, compared to 82 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year. After lagging in previous weeks, cotton sowing has now picked up in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. In some areas, farmers are shifting from paddy to cotton and pulses, as these crops offer better prospects. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, cotton production for the year 2025-26 stood at 290.91 lakh bales (each bale weighing 170 kg), which is lower than the 297.24 lakh bales produced in 2024-25.90 percent of soybean area coveredAccording to the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA), the soybean acreage for the current Kharif season is estimated at 1.003 crore hectares. Sowing has covered approximately 80 to 90 percent of the total target area across key states.Government estimates indicate that soybean sowing has been completed on 57 lakh hectares so far.In Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, soybean sowing has been completed on approximately 90 percent of the area. In Maharashtra, it has reached approximately 80–90 percent of the target area. SOPA believes that the total soybean acreage during the 2026 Kharif season is likely to surpass last year's levels.read more :- Telangana Cotton Sowing Rises by 4.85 Lakh Acres During Kharif 2026

Surge in Cotton Sowing in Telangana; Acreage Up by 4.85 Lakh Acres Compared to Last YearHyderabad, July 8: A significant increase in cotton sowing has been recorded in Telangana during the Kharif 2026 season. As of July 8, 2026, cotton has been sown across 3,944,271 acres in the state, whereas the figure stood at 3,458,849 acres during the same period last year. This represents an increase of 485,422 acres in the area sown with cotton so far this year.According to district-wise data, Nalgonda recorded the highest increase at 197,352 acres. This was followed by notable increases in Nagarkurnool (+49,481 acres), Jangaon (+44,904 acres), Suryapet (+40,726 acres), Sangareddy (+40,020 acres), and Khammam (+19,079 acres).Meanwhile, the cotton sowing area also expanded compared to the previous year in several other districts, including Kamareddy, Karimnagar, Rangareddy, Jogulamba Gadwal, Mahabubabad, Narayanpet, and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri.On the other hand, a decline in cotton sowing was recorded in some districts. Key among these are Hanamkonda (-15,793 acres), Mancherial (-13,795 acres), Vikarabad (-12,655 acres), Siddipet (-12,382 acres), Warangal (-9,610 acres), and Bhadradri Kothagudem (-7,993 acres).The normal cotton acreage for the state is 4,741,541 acres, while sowing has been completed on 3,944,271 acres as of July 8, 2026.READ MORE :- Improved Rainfall to Accelerate Kharif Sowing: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Improved Rainfall to Accelerate Kharif Sowing: Shivraj Singh ChouhanNew Delhi, July 8, 2026: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the monsoon situation in the country is improving, which is expected to accelerate the sowing of Kharif crops. Speaking after a high-level meeting held in New Delhi on Wednesday to review the El Niño situation, he noted that the rainfall deficit, which stood at 33 percent in June, has narrowed to 24 percent in July. Thanks to good rainfall in several parts of the country recently, the number of districts facing a rainfall deficit has also dropped from 262 to 178.In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture said that the government is tackling the situation with full preparedness, a clear strategy, and effective action on the ground. According to the Ministry, while challenges persist, the entire machinery is already active to mitigate their impact.The Minister stated that the Central Government is continuously monitoring the rainfall and Kharif sowing situation in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, and Odisha. He expressed confidence that rainfall would improve further in July, thereby boosting the pace of Kharif sowing.Shivraj Singh Chouhan informed that Kharif crops have been sown across 350.85 lakh hectares so far, which is approximately 91.95 lakh hectares less than the area covered during the same period last year. He noted that the delayed arrival of the monsoon has most significantly impacted the sowing of soybean and cotton. Farmers have been advised to cultivate short-duration and low-water-consuming crops—such as maize, pearl millet (bajra), and moong (green gram)—in light of the delayed rainfall, so that potential losses can be minimized.The Minister added that the government had initiated preparations to tackle this challenge as early as April. Emergency action plans for potentially affected districts were prepared in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and shared with state governments in a timely manner. Additionally, under the 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' (Save the Farm Campaign) launched in June, over 1.24 lakh programs were organized across the country, directly reaching more than 80 lakh farmers.READ MORE :- Rupee Opens Higher at 95.26 Against US Dollar.