Special Incentive Scheme to Promote Cotton Cultivation in Haryana
Expressing concern over the continuous decline in cotton cultivation within the state, the Haryana Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare has decided to launch a special incentive scheme to encourage farmers to return to cotton farming during this Kharif season. Over the past six years, the area under cotton cultivation in the state has plummeted from approximately 800,000 hectares to a record low of 390,000 hectares in 2024–25. In light of this decline, the Department has established a special wing titled "Promotion of Cotton Cultivation in Haryana" (PCCH).
This campaign will be primarily implemented in major cotton-producing districts such as Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Rewari, and Mahendragarh. Among these, Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Hisar are considered Haryana's traditional "Cotton Belt." According to agricultural experts, persistent pest infestations—including the pink bollworm—and subsequent crop losses compelled farmers to abandon cotton in favor of alternative crops like paddy, thereby placing additional strain on irrigation resources.
Under this scheme, demonstration plots spanning two acres each will be developed in every district. On these plots, the entire cultivation process—encompassing land preparation, sowing, irrigation, pesticide application, and harvesting—will be meticulously documented using scientific methodologies. These plots will be jointly managed by the Department of Agriculture and scientists from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, ensuring that farmers receive practical, hands-on training.
According to Dr. Arun Kumar Yadav, the State Coordinator for PCCH, farmers will be provided with comprehensive information regarding pest identification, disease management, and the balanced application of fertilizers and pesticides. The government is offering financial assistance of ₹2,000 per acre for micronutrients and ₹4,000 per acre for the cultivation of indigenous cotton varieties. To avail of these benefits, it will be mandatory for farmers to register on the "Meri Fasal Mera Byora" portal and submit their purchase bills.
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