After closing at 85.58 on Friday, the Indian rupee opened slightly higher on Monday at 85.54 to the US dollar.The Sensex opened at 81,214.42 against its previous close of 81,451.01 and dropped 797 points, or nearly 1 per cent, to an intraday low of 80,654.26. The Nifty 50 started its day at 24,669.70 against its previous close of 24,750.70 and dropped 0.91 per cent to an intraday low of 24,526.15.Read More :- AI traps offer real-time defence against pest, reviving hopes for Punjab’s cotton farmers
AI Traps Revive Hope for Punjab Cotton FarmersArtificial intelligence pheromone traps will be placed in eight locations in Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar for the second consecutive kharif season to audit its efficacyA cutting edge technological intervention offering real time surveillance on the pink bollworm (PBW) in the cotton crop may give a new lease of life to the conventional cash crop of Punjab.Developed by the Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR), AI (artificial intelligence) pheromone traps will be stationed at eight different locations in the cotton growing districts of Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar for the second consecutive kharif season to audit its efficacy.Principal entomologist of Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) Vijay Kumar said the digital intervention gives hourly crop updates of the pest via a mobile phone.Alerted by the moth data, farmers can promptly use insecticides to curb the PBW attack on the cotton crop.“In the new generation AI trap, a camera is fixed in the pheromone trap that takes regular pictures of the moths that stick to the trap due to the pheromones’ lure. These images are then transmitted in real time to a remote server in the cloud and to the farmer,” said Kumar.The expert said that images of pests are analysed using a machine learning algorithm that has been trained to identify and count PBWs caught in traps.Kumar, who is monitoring the CICR project in Punjab, said that the technology was introduced last year and its results of two consecutive seasons will be analysed before recommending it for wider use.Since 2022, the cotton crop acreage in Punjab has witnessed a sharp downfall after PBW infestation.Experts said that even the genetically modified pest-resistant variety of Bt Cotton (Bollgard II seed) has been falling prey to the pest it was created to resist, farmers are staying away from its cultivation due to economic losses.Punjab state agriculture department’s deputy director (cotton) Charanjeet Singh said that the innovative approach may have the potential to significantly reduce economic losses for farmers grappling with PBW infestations.Practice of installing pheromone traps is prevalent in various parts of the cotton-growing region. But it was observed that counting and monitoring pests caught in traps has manpower challenges. But the smart monitoring system enables timely pest management advice to cotton growers, ensuring efficient control and keeping damage below economic threshold levels,” he added.A progressive farmer from Khiali Chailanwali in Mansa, Jagdev Singh, talks about the effectiveness of the AI trap installed at his one-acre cotton field last year for testing by the authorities.“Experts say that the AI trap costs ₹35,000 - ₹40,000 and it would be a major challenge in acceptability. But the technology may be supported as the results were highly impressive. An AI-powered pest detection system can alert a farmer to incoming pest infestations in real-time, enabling them to take swift action and effectively save their crop. I witnessed that the system can help a farmer solve the pest problem better than traditional measures often driven by guesswork,” he added.read more :- CCI Cotton Sale Update for Season 2024-25
The Indian rupee ended 22 paisa lower on Friday at 85.57 to the dollar, while it opened at 85.42 in the morning.At open, the Sensex was down 182.01 points or 0.15 percent at 81,451.01, and the Nifty was down 82.90 points or 0.33 percent at 24,750.70. About 1,751 shares advanced, 2,087 shares declined, and 114 shares were unchanged.
CCI Cotton Sales Update 2024–25The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has sold approx. 29,90,800 bales of cotton so far in the current season 2024-25. This accounts for 29.90% (approx.) of the total cotton procured this year.The state-wise breakdown of bales sold by CCI mentioned in the above postThis data reflects significant movement in cotton sales, particularly from Maharashtra, Telangana, and Gujarat, which together account for over 85.01% of total sales so far.This data showcases CCI’s active role in stabilizing the cotton market across major producing states.read more :- India’s Cotton Production Faces Prolonged Decline: What the 10-Year Data Tells Us
India’s Cotton Production Dips Over 10 YearsNew Delhi : India, the world’s largest producer of cotton, is facing a sustained slowdown in its cotton output. A review of ten years of production data, from 2015–16 to the estimated figures for 2024–25, paints a picture of fluctuation, stagnation, and more recently, decline. Despite the introduction of high-yielding seeds, significant government support, and growing demand from the textile sector, production has not sustained momentum.The numbers don’t lie. Cotton production touched 360.65 lakh bales in 2019–20, only to slump in subsequent years. The latest forecast for 2024–25 puts output at just 306.92 lakh bales. This represents not only a year-on-year decline but also a broader structural problem that is eroding farmer interest and threatening India’s leadership in global cotton markets.Understanding the Decadal PatternOver the ten-year span, production peaked in 2019–20 before losing pace. There were a few rebounds, but the overall trajectory lacks the consistency needed to fuel a robust value chain. From 300.05 lakh bales in 2015–16, cotton output has inched up to 306.92 lakh bales in 2024–25, reflecting an extremely modest growth. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for this period stands at just 0.25%, a warning signal given India’s ambitious agricultural and textile export goals.Key Years of ConcernIn 2018–19, cotton output fell from 328.05 to 280.42 lakh bales, a steep drop of nearly 14.5%. That year witnessed devastating pink bollworm attacks, especially in states like Maharashtra and Telangana. A brief recovery came in 2019–20, with a record production of 360.65 lakh bales, but that proved short-lived.The years that followed brought further strain. Production dipped again to 311.18 lakh bales in 2021–22, down from 352.48 the previous year. A combination of weather-related stress and poor price realization hurt farmer morale. The fall has continued since then, with production sliding from 336.60 in 2022–23 to a projected 306.92 in 2024–25. The cumulative effect of these down years reveals how fragile the system has become.Structural Challenges Behind the DeclineOne major issue is pest pressure. The pink bollworm, once thought to be under control due to the adoption of Bt cotton, has resurged in several cotton-growing regions. Farmers report that Bt seeds are losing efficacy, leading to increased pesticide use and higher cultivation costs. This makes cotton less attractive compared to lower-risk crops.Water availability and climatic instability are also key concerns.Irregular rainfall, early monsoon withdrawal, and rising temperatures have increased the unpredictability of yields. In Gujarat, the leading cotton-producing state, erratic weather has disrupted sowing cycles. In Maharashtra and Telangana, recurring droughts have further worsened the scenario.Price volatility compounds the problem. While Minimum Support Prices (MSP) are declared annually, they often do not match market realities. Farmers frequently sell at prices below MSP due to lack of procurement infrastructure or distress sales. This erodes income and disincentivizes continued cotton cultivation.*Are Government Interventions Enough?*The government has tried to respond through schemes such as the Cotton Corporation of India’s (CCI) procurement program, PMFBY crop insurance, and targeted MSP hikes. However, results have been mixed. Procurement helps in distress years, but it is often limited in scope and reach. Insurance coverage remains patchy, with delays in payouts and low farmer satisfaction.Technology Adoption Remains ShallowDespite the hype around agri-tech, technology adoption in cotton cultivation remains limited. Precision farming tools like drones, AI-based pest detection, and drip irrigation systems are mostly confined to pilot projects or progressive farmers. The majority still rely on traditional practices and are underserved by extension systems. This technology gap reduces resilience and adaptability to changing climatic and pest conditions.Farmer Preferences Are ShiftingThere is a clear trend of crop diversification among farmers in central and southern India. Cotton fields are being replaced with soybeans, pulses, maize, and horticulture — all seen as less input-intensive and more remunerative. In states like Madhya Pradesh, this shift is becoming structural rather than temporary. The acreage under cotton in Haryana and Punjab has also dropped, partly due to water stress and the push toward paddy or sugarcane.What Needs to Change?The first step is innovation in seed technology. India must fast-track the approval and deployment of next-generation biotech seeds that can handle new pest profiles and ensure higher yields with fewer chemical inputs. Equally important is the need to develop an institutional framework for price assurance beyond MSP — perhaps through contract farming arrangements or value chain integration with private players.Time for Bold ReformsIndia’s cotton production story over the last ten years is not just about numbers — it is a reflection of policy gaps, environmental stress, technological lag, and declining farmer confidence. With a negligible CAGR of 0.25% and multiple years of production dips, the sector is signaling distress that cannot be ignored.Unless bold reforms are initiated to boost productivity, reduce risk, and restore farmer interest, India may find its global cotton leadership slipping. Rebuilding it will take more than seasonal fixes — it will require structural transformation.read more :- Weekly Cotton Bale Sales Report – CCI
Weekly Summary Report: Cotton Bales Sold by Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) conducted online bidding for cotton bales throughout the week, with the daily sales summary being as follows:May 27, 2025: CCI sold a total of 900 bales (2024-25 season) in the Mills session and no bales in the Traders session.May 28, 2025: Total sales were 4,500 bales (2024-25 season), comprising 600 bales in the Mills session and 3,900 bales in the Traders session.May 29, 2025: CCI sold a total of 11,600 bales - comprising 11,500 bales of 2024-25 season and 100 bales of 2023-24 season. Out of the total, 7,600 bales (7,500 from 2024-25 and 100 from 2023-24) were sold during the Mills session while 4,000 bales from the 2024-25 season were sold during the Traders session.30 May 2025: The week concluded with the sale of 1,000 bales (2024-25 season) with 800 bales sold during the Mills session and 200 bales during the Traders session.Weekly Total:During the entire week, CCI successfully sold around 18,000 (approx.) cotton bales using its online bidding platform to streamline the sales and facilitate smooth trade operations.Stay tuned to SiS for real-time updates on the textile industry. read more :- Rupee lower 22 Paisa Against Dollar, Closes at 85.57
The Indian rupee ended 22 paisa lower on Friday at 85.57 to the dollar, while it opened at 85.35 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was down 182.01 points or 0.22 percent at 81,451.01, and the Nifty was down 82.90 points or 0.33 percent at 24,750.70. About 1,751 shares advanced, 2,087 shares declined, and 114 shares were unchanged.read more :- Trump tariffs blocked: What the US court ruling means for Indian market and global trade
US Court Blocks Trump Tariffs: Impact on Indian Market & Global TradeIn a landmark verdict, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by invoking emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs and halted most of Trump's tariffs from taking effect.The decision not only blocks the so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs in their tracks, but also sets the stage for broader legal challenges to executive-led trade actions. Motilal Oswal Financial Services outlines why this judgment could reshape global trade dynamics, and what it could mean for India.Legal brake on tariffs could ease U.S.-India trade talks“A pullback in U.S. tariff aggression creates space for India to strengthen trade positioning,” said Motilal Oswal. With Trump’s 26% reciprocal tariff threat now under legal cloud, India may gain leverage in its ongoing trade negotiations with Washington, especially as it offers deep tariff cuts on non-sensitive goods.Indian exporters may benefit as supply chains de-risk from ChinaMotilal Oswal noted that exporters in sectors like pharma and textiles could benefit if the ruling weakens the U.S.'s reliance on China-centric trade strategies. “Exporters in pharma, textiles, may benefit if global supply chains de-risk from China,” the brokerage said, pointing to India as a natural beneficiary of any diversification shift.Markets cheer legal clarity, Indian equities open higherThe decision triggered a positive sentiment wave in equities. “Markets may not react sharply as the original tariffs’ economic impact was limited,” Motilal Oswal said, “but this sets a big precedent for future administrations.” On Thursday, the Nifty 50 rose 0.29% while the Sensex climbed 0.34%, reflecting early optimism.Court ruling triggers repricing in safe-haven assetsThe risk-on mood hit safe-haven assets. Gold fell 0.7% to its lowest in over a week, while the U.S. dollar strengthened. According to Motilal Oswal, “Emergency powers are now under tighter judicial scrutiny,” leading investors to recalibrate expectations on trade-linked uncertainty and favour risk assets.Tariff agility curbed for future administrationsMotilal Oswal highlighted that the U.S. court's verdict “sets a precedent that may reduce future tariff agility — even in genuine crises.” With the court rejecting the use of a decades-old law to justify economic penalties, executive freedom over trade has now come under structural limits, adding new layers to trade policymaking.Legal uncertainty could shift the U.S.-China trade equationThe judgment introduces a new legal dimension to U.S.-China trade tensions. “U.S.-China trade tensions could enter a new phase of legal uncertainty,” Motilal Oswal observed, implying that geopolitical trade decisions may face more institutional checks, opening indirect windows of opportunity for competitors like India.read more :-Indian Rupee higher 03 Paisa, Ends at 85.50 per Dollar
Rupee rises 15 paise to 85.35 against US dollar in early tradeThe Indian rupee opened 15 paise stronger at 85.35 against the US dollar as compared to the close of 85.50 against the greenback a day ago.read more :- Indian Rupee higher 03 Paisa, Ends at 85.50 per Dollar
Rupee Rises by 03 Paise to Close at 85.50 Against US DollarThe Indian rupee on thursday higher 03 paise to close at 85.50 per dollar, while it opened at 85.53 in the morning. At the close, the BSE Sensex stood at 81,633.02, up 320.70 points, or 0.39 per cent. The index fluctuated in the range of 81,816.89 - 81,106.98.read more :- Maharastra :Cotton MSP hiked by 589, taking rates to 7,710-8,110/ quintal
Cotton MSP in Maharashtra Raised to ₹7,710–8,110/quintalNagpur: The govt has increased the minimum support price (MSP) for cotton, the major crop of the region, by Rs589. This takes the rates for long staple cotton to Rs8,110 a quintal and Rs7,710 per quintal for the medium staple grade.A section of farmers and activists said it was expected that MSP will be taken to at least Rs8,500 a quintal. According to govt calculations, cost of cultivation per quintal of cotton comes to Rs5,140. Against this, MSP of Rs8,110 leaves margin of Rs2,970 on each quintal of long staple cotton.Charudutta Mayee, ex-director of Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR), said, "MSP should have been fixed at Rs8,500 a quintal to leave a decent profit for farmers."MSP for soyabean, the second major crop, has been increased by Rs436 to Rs5,328 a quintal. Rates of tur have been hiked by Rs450, taking it to Rs8,000 a quintal. The MSP for paddy has been hiked by Rs69, taking it to Rs2,369 a quintal.read more :- Rupee falls 17 paise at open to 85.53 against US dollar
Rupee open 17 paise down at 85.53/USD as dollar index gainsIndian rupee opened 17 paise down on May 29 after the dollar index gained strength. The local currency traded at 85.53 against the US dollar at open as compared to 85.36 against the greenback at previous.read more :- Area under cotton cultivation up by 15% in Punjab, but long-term decline continues
Cotton Cultivation Grows in Punjab, Decline PersistsCotton cultivation in Punjab has registered a 15 per cent increase this year compared to 2024, offering a ray of hope for the state’s struggling cotton belt.However, the overall trend remains downward when viewed against the last five years, with the area under cotton cultivation continuing to shrink from its historical highs.The figure is likely to improve further as the data of the area under cotton sowing is to be collected till May 31.According to official data, the cotton-growing districts of Fazilka, Bathinda, Mansa, and Muktsar have so far covered 1.13 lakh hectares out of the targeted 1.29 lakh hectares, falling short of the target by 14.6 per cent.“The improvement is visible, though minor. Cotton sowing is almost complete, and final data will be available in early June,” said Jagdish Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Bathinda. “Based on the sale of seeds, we are expecting a further increase in the area under cotton by the end of May.”Rajinder Kumar, Chief Agriculture Officer, Fazilka, attributed the partial increase to better awareness and slight recovery of farmer confidence, though a double breach in the Punjawa Minor Canal affected irrigation and sowing timelines in parts of the district.Still far from past gloryDespite this year’s gain, the long-term decline in cotton acreage is stark.In 2019, cotton was sown on 3.35 lakh hectares.The numbers dropped to 2.5–2.52 lakh ha during 2020–2021, to 2.48 lakh ha in 2022, to 1.79 lakh ha in 2023, and further to 98,490 ha in 2024.The latest target of 1.29 lakh ha represents a deliberate scaling down in response to farmer disinterest, pest threats, and market uncertainties.Punjab boasted 8 lakh hectares under cotton cultivation during the 1980s.Experts trace the steady decline to the Green Revolution, which encouraged paddy cultivation in areas with canal water access, leaving only the saline-water-prone Malwa belt suitable for cotton.“Cotton was once white gold, but issues like whitefly and pink bollworm attacks, spurious seeds, and low MSP procurement by the Cotton Corporation of India have disillusioned farmers,” said Sukhjinder Singh Rajan, a Fazilka farmer.In 2015, a whitefly outbreak devastated 3.25 lakh hectares of cotton. A compensation of Rs 8,000 per acre was announced by the then SAD-BJP government.. A pink bollworm infestation in 2021 led to another round of farmer losses and a Rs 17,000 per acre relief package was announced by the then Congress government.read more:- Cabinet approves Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 2025-26
Cabinet Approves MSP for Kharif Crops for 2025-26The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 2025-26. Government has increased the MSP of Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 2025-26, to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce. The highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year has been recommended for nigerseed (Rs.820 per quintal) followed by Ragi (Rs.596 per quintal), Cotton (Rs.589 per quintal) and Sesamum (Rs.579 per quintal). Refers to cost which includes all paid out costs such as those incurred on account of hired human labour, bullock labour/machine labour, rent paid for leased in land, expenses incurred on use of material inputs like seeds, fertilizers, manures, irrigation charges, depreciation on implements and farm buildings, interest on working capital, diesel/electricity for operation of pump sets etc., miscellaneous expenses and imputed value of family labour.Cost data are not separately compiled for Paddy (Grade A), Jowar (Maldandi) and Cotton (Long staple)The increase in MSP for Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 2025-26 is in line with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times of the All-India weighted average cost of production, The expected margin to farmers over their cost of production are estimated to be highest in case of bajra (63%) followed by maize (59%), tur (59%) and urad (53%). For rest of the crops, margin to farmers over their cost of production is estimated to be at 50%.In the recent years, Government has been promoting the cultivation of crops, other than cereals such as pulses and oilseeds, and Nutri-cereals/ Shree Anna, by offering a higher MSP for these crops. During the period 2014-15 to 2024-25, procurement of paddy was 7608 LMT while during the period 2004-05 to 2013-14, procurement of paddy was 4590 LMT.During the period 2014-15 to 2024-25, procurement of 14 Kharif crops was 7871 LMT while during the period 2004-05 to 2013-14, procurement was 4679 LMT.During the period 2014-15 to 2024-25, MSP amount paid to Paddy growing famers was Rs. 14.16 Lakh Crore while during the period 2004-05 to 2013-14, amount paid to farmers was Rs. 4.44 Lakh Crore. During the period 2014-15 to 2024-25, the MSP amount paid to 14 Kharif crops growing famers was Rs. 16.35 Lakh Crores while during the period 2004-05 to 2013-14, MSP amount paid to farmers was Rs. 4.75 Lakh Crore.read more :- Indian Rupee higher 25 Paisa, Ends at 85.36 per Dollar
The Indian rupee on wednesday higher 25 paise to close at 85.36 per dollar, while it opened at 85.61 in the morning.The BSE benchmark index, the Sensex, ended with at 81,312 - down 239 points or 0.3 per cent on Wednesday amid weakness in FMCG stocks.read more :-Maharashtra: Farmers put cotton for sale as cotton prices rise
Maharashtra: Cotton Sale Surge Amid Price HikeMurtizapur : As the sowing days are approaching, there is ease in filling seeds through cotton sale.Last year, the sowing of cotton crop had increased a lot. Due to this, many farmers got good income from cotton per acre. Cotton was getting a price of 7000 to 7400 rupees per quintal. But cotton farmers were hoping that this price would increase and cotton would go up to 10 thousand rupees per quintal. Therefore, many farmers had kept their goods at home.At present, due to increase in cotton prices, the price has gone up to 8 thousand rupees per quintal. Sowing days are coming near, in such a situation, there is no possibility of much increase in the price, so the arrival of cotton in the market has increased due to farmers putting their goods for sale.It was told that 300 to 400 quintals of cotton is coming to Om Ginning and Pressing Factory here every day. If the prices are good in the season, this arrival increases to more than 1 thousand quintals per day. Many farmers still have stored cotton, and the farmers waiting for the price hike of Rs 10 thousand per quintal are quite disappointed. But due to slight improvement in the price of cotton, cotton producing farmers have taken out the stored cotton for sale.read more:- New Delhi : Textile Advisory Group Meeting on Cotton and MMF | Giriraj Singh
| title | Created At | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Indian rupee opened marginally higher at 85.54 per dollar on Monday versus Friday's close of 85.58. | 02-06-2025 18:30:23 | view |
| AI traps offer real-time defence against pest, reviving hopes for Punjab’s cotton farmers | 02-06-2025 18:09:18 | view |
| Rupee lower 15 Paisa Against Dollar, open at 85.42 | 02-06-2025 17:42:58 | view |
| CCI Cotton Sale Update for Season 2024-25 | 31-05-2025 22:31:51 | view |
| India’s Cotton Production Faces Prolonged Decline: What the 10-Year Data Tells Us | 31-05-2025 18:55:59 | view |
| Weekly Cotton Bale Sales Report – CCI | 31-05-2025 00:21:20 | view |
| Rupee lower 22 Paisa Against Dollar, Closes at 85.57 | 30-05-2025 22:45:28 | view |
| Trump tariffs blocked: What the US court ruling means for Indian market and global trade | 30-05-2025 18:43:27 | view |
| Rupee opens 15 paise higher at 85.35 against dollar | 30-05-2025 17:25:22 | view |
| Indian Rupee higher 03 Paisa, Ends at 85.50 per Dollar | 29-05-2025 22:59:57 | view |
| Maharastra :Cotton MSP hiked by 589, taking rates to 7,710-8,110/ quintal | 29-05-2025 18:16:46 | view |
| Rupee falls 17 paise at open to 85.53 against US dollar | 29-05-2025 17:14:43 | view |
| Area under cotton cultivation up by 15% in Punjab, but long-term decline continues | 28-05-2025 23:53:32 | view |
| Cabinet approves Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 2025-26 | 28-05-2025 23:04:49 | view |
| Indian Rupee higher 25 Paisa, Ends at 85.36 per Dollar | 28-05-2025 22:44:42 | view |
| Maharashtra: Farmers put cotton for sale as cotton prices rise | 28-05-2025 18:35:26 | view |
