Cotton is one of India’s key cash crops, grown widely across many states. With the arrival of the Kharif season, farmers have begun sowing cotton in their fields once again. Cotton farming is labour intensive but profitable, as cotton is an essential raw material for the textile industry. After harvesting, the lint is separated from the seeds, which are also used for oil extraction.
But which state tops the chart when it comes to cotton production in India? Let’s find out which state contributes the most and see where others stand.
Gujarat: India’s Leading Cotton Producer
Gujarat has emerged as India’s top cotton-producing state, overtaking Maharashtra in recent years. The region’s climate and soil conditions are ideal for cotton farming, making it the largest contributor to the country’s total cotton output.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Gujarat alone accounts for 27.85% of India’s total cotton production.
How Other States Rank
Here’s a quick look at the share of other leading states:
- 2️⃣ Maharashtra: 24.74%
- 3️⃣ Telangana: 15.62%
- 4️⃣ Rajasthan: 8.06%
- 5️⃣ Karnataka: 6.33%
- 6️⃣ Madhya Pradesh: 5.54%
Combined, these six states contribute nearly 90% of India’s total cotton production, underlining their importance in the country’s textile supply chain.
How Farmers Can Sow Cotton Effectively
Experts advise that this is the right time for farmers to sow cotton. To achieve good yields, they recommend:
✅ Row and Plant Spacing: Keep a distance of 108 cm between rows and 60 cm between plants. Alternatively, farmers can use a spacing of 67.5 cm × 90 cm.
✅ Fertiliser Management: Apply about 40 kg of urea per bigha in three splits mix some decomposed cow dung with the soil during the final ploughing, then apply one third of the urea at sowing, one-third with the first irrigation, and the remaining portion when buds start forming.
India’s cotton farming continues to be a major source of income for farmers, especially in Gujarat and Maharashtra. With the right techniques and timing, farmers can make the most of this cash crop.
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