Excessive rains may damage cotton crop in western Indian states

There may be some damage to cotton crop in the western Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat due to heavy rains and floods in rivers during the last fortnight. Several hectares of fields, including those on which cotton is sown, are submerged under water in many areas of these states. Around 20 per cent of cotton crop is feared to have been damaged.

While Saurashtra region in Gujarat has registered 118 per cent excess rainfall till July 15, Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region saw 36 per cent excess rainfall during the same period, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.

There may be some damage to cotton crop in the western Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat due to heavy rains and floods in rivers during the last fortnight. Several hectares of fields, including those on which cotton is sown, are submerged under water in many areas of these states. Around 20 per cent of cotton crop is feared to have been damaged.

A trader from Maharashtra, Sunil Jaiswal, said that cotton crop is under threat due to excessive rains in many parts of western India, including Vidarbha and Saurashtra regions. Cotton plants have grown up to 8-10 inches in the fields, and the crop now needs clear weather for proper growth. But more rain is expected in the days to come. There is also a possibility of fungal disease to the crop due to rains.

Another trader said that incessant rains during the last week caused flooding in many areas of the state. Cotton crop may have some damage in this situation. However, the exact estimate of the damage can be assessed only after the rains stop. Initial estimate is that 10 per cent of crop might have suffered damage, but the figure might go up to 15-20 per cent during the government’s survey.

Gujarat based trader Chetan Bhojani told Fibre2Fashion, “There are reports of excessive rains and water logging in cotton fields in many areas of the two states. However, it is not possible to estimate the losses from the initial reports. In areas where there is no further rain and water drains out from the fields, the damage can be limited.”

According to weekly sowing report of the Union ministry of agriculture, total cotton sowing area was slightly higher than the sowing during corresponding period of last year. Cotton was sown in 102.80 lakh hectare till July 15, 2022. Cotton sowing acreage was 96.58 lakh ha in corresponding period of last year. The average sowing area of the crop was noted at 125.57 lakh ha in last five years. Cotton sowing is still going on in some parts of the country.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)