In Punjab, crop diversification efforts got a major fillip with cotton cultivation witnessing around a 20% surge.
The total area under cotton cultivation has increased from 2.49 lakh acres last year to 2.98 lakh acres this year in 2025, which shows an increase of over 49,000 acres within a year. Four districts which are leading in cotton cultivation in the state are Fazilka, Mansa, Bathinda and Sri Muktsar Sahib, respectively.
Punjab government has decided to provide a 33% subsidy on cotton seeds to growers. As over 49,000 farmers have already registered online, Chief Agriculture Officers have been directed to ensure all cotton growers complete online registration by June 15.
Chairing a meeting to review the ongoing Kharif season and departmental projects here, Khudian said Fazilka district leads in cotton cultivation with 60,121 hectares, followed by Mansa (27,621 hectares), Bathinda (17,080 hectares), and Muktsar Sahib (13,240 hectares).
The minister said the state government would provide a 33 per cent subsidy on cotton seeds to growers, with over 49,000 farmers having already registered online.
He directed the Chief Agriculture Officers to ensure all cotton growers complete online registration by June 15.
The minister expressed satisfaction over the enthusiastic response of the state’s farmers towards Kharif maize cultivation, with over 54,000 acres already sown in just nine days since sowing commenced on June 1 across the state.