Call to Revitalize Cotton Cultivation in North India at the Sirsa Dialogue
Bathinda: At the two-day 'Farm-to-Fiber Cotton Dialogue 2026' held in Sirsa, politicians, farmers, ginners, scientists, and stakeholders across the cotton value chain discussed a roadmap to increase the shrinking cotton acreage in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan and to strengthen the cotton-based rural and textile economies.
Organized by the South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC), the dialogue addressed the continuously declining cotton acreage, stagnant productivity, and the mounting challenges facing North India's cotton-based rural and textile sectors. Emphasis was placed on the need for superior genetics, next-generation cotton technologies, and improved production systems to halt the decline in cotton cultivation.
BJP National Vice President Manpreet Singh Badal, who attended the event, recalled the rapid adoption of Bt cotton in North India and the transformation it brought to the region's agricultural economy. He stated, "With greater policy focus, attention on farmers, and improved access to modern technology, we can restore farmers' confidence in cotton and once again make North India a thriving hub of cotton production."
Bhagirath Choudhary, Founder Director of SABC, described the 2026-27 Kharif season as a "wake-up call" for the cotton economy. He called for adequate allocations under the 'North India Cotton Productivity Mission,' ensuring farmers have access to next-generation Pink Bollworm (PBW)-resistant and herbicide-tolerant Bt cotton technologies, as well as superior genetics suitable for HDPS (High-Density Planting System) and CSPS (Compact System Planting System).
Mahesh Sharda, former President of ICAL, highlighted the importance of selecting the right cotton varieties and hybrids to achieve better productivity and fiber recovery. He suggested forming village-level committees to evaluate the field performance of varieties under local conditions and assist farmers in selecting the best seeds.
The dialogue was jointly organized by SABC, ICAL, NITMA, and the Haryana Cotton Ginners Association.
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