Resource utilization and economic analysis of cotton farming in northern India Singh Avaldeep1, Kumar Raj2,* 1M.Sc. Scholar, Department of Economics and Sociology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004 (Punjab) 2Principal Extension Scientist (Agricultural Economics), Department of Economics and Sociology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004 (Punjab) *Corresponding Author's Email - rajkumar@pau.edu
Online published on 3 May, 2025. Abstract The present study was conducted in the northern cotton-growing zone of India, comprising the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, to evaluate resource utilization and the economics of cotton cultivation. It also examined the challenges faced by cotton growers in production and marketing. Primary data for the year 2021-22 were collected from a sample of 120 farmers. The recommended doses of nitrogen and phosphorus was followed by only 40.83 and 22.50 per cent of farmers, respectively. Overuse of potash in Rajasthan highlights inefficiencies in fertilizer application. The average profitability of cotton cultivation has been worked out at Rs. 45087 per ha. Among the states, the profitability of cotton cultivation was Rs. 40153/ha, Rs. 47771/ha and Rs. 47329/ha, in Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, respectively. Major issues confronted by cotton growers include poor-quality inputs, price fluctuations, unstable productivity, contamination of cotton, shortage of skilled labour, and limited technical knowledge. Addressing these issues through the supply of high-quality cotton seeds, development of pestresistant varieties, integrated pest management strategies, and strict regulation of oil mills and ginneries to control the hibernating pink bollworm in seed cotton could significantly enhance cotton cultivation and increase the area under production. Top Keywords Cotton, Cultivation, Input use, Northern Zone, Returns, Operational costs, Profitability. Top |