Ahmedabad: Gujarat farmers have already brought nearly one lakh hectares under cotton cultivation for the 2026 kharif season, emerging as one of the first major cotton-growing states to report significant sowing progress as the South-West monsoon advances across parts of the country.

According to the Gujarat Agriculture Department’s latest data, cotton has been sown on 93,499 hectares as of June 8, sharply higher than the 34,011 hectares recorded during the corresponding period last year.

Industry estimates suggest the actual area covered has already crossed one lakh hectares. Nationally, cotton acreage is expected to increase across major growing regions this season. Sowing in Central India is projected to rise by around 15 per cent, while South Indian states could witness a 10-20 per cent increase in cotton cultivation.

At the national level, cotton acreage is expected to exceed 130 lakh hectares during the current kharif season. According to industry estimates, forecasts of lower rainfall, coupled with cotton’s relatively lower water requirement compared to several competing crops, are encouraging farmers to expand cultivation.

An increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and procurement support has also played a key role in boosting farmers’ interest in cotton. DeshGujarat