Cotton Picking Accelerates in Khargone Amid Rain Fears, Market Arrivals Fall 50%
By anand lodhi 2026-09-26 15:07:16
Cotton picking accelerates in Khargone due to rain fears; weather monitored until Sept 28; market arrivals drop by 50%
The prospect of rain during the final phase of the monsoon has heightened concerns among cotton farmers in Khargone district. Farmers are rapidly picking cotton to protect the ready crop in their fields from potential rain damage. Following recent rainfall in the Bhagwanpura and Khargone regions, farmers are striving to harvest the mature crop quickly and move it to safe storage.
**Cotton arrivals at the market drop due to rain fears**
The apprehension regarding rain is impacting cotton arrivals at the Khargone market. Local reports indicate that cotton arrivals have declined by approximately 50 percent. Data shows that cotton arrived via 33 bullock carts and 108 other vehicles. Prices are reported to range between ₹7,300 and ₹8,700 per quintal.
Available market records show variations in cotton prices across different days and markets in the Khargone region during September. Therefore, it is appropriate to view prices based on the day's specific arrivals and quality rather than relying on a single fixed market rate.
**Labor shortage drives up picking costs**
A shortage of laborers for cotton picking is adding to the farmers' woes. To ensure quick harvesting before the rains, farmers are having to pay wages of around ₹7 to ₹8 per kilogram. Farmer Suresh Patel notes that laborers are not easily available. The need for rapid harvesting due to the rain forecast is driving up costs.
**Monitoring the weather from September 25 to 28**
The IMD's agrometeorological platform indicates a likelihood of rain on September 25 and 26, whereas forecasts for September 27 and 28 show minimal or negligible rainfall across several regions. Therefore, continuous heavy rainfall across western Madhya Pradesh from September 25 to 28 has not been stated as a certainty.
In Khargone, farmers are primarily concerned about protecting their ready-to-harvest cotton from the rain and completing the picking process on time. Consequently, farmers and market traders are keeping a close watch on the next weather update.
