Cotton cultivation in Haryana has declined sharply due to persistent pink bollworm attacks, inflicting heavy losses on farmers. Yields have fallen to less than half of previous levels, driving many to switch to water-intensive paddy. Government incentives have so far failed to halt the shift.
In Kirtan village, Hisar district, farmer Satyavan, who has grown cotton for 25 years, reported a ₹15,000 loss on 5 acres last year. “When you factor in seeds, fertilizers, diesel, and harvesting costs, the loss is stark,” he said. Neighbor Dayanand Dhaka, 53, harvested just 3-4 quintals per acre, resulting in a ₹40,000 deficit. He sold to private buyers at ₹6,200 per quintal, ₹1,600 below the minimum support price, despite insuring his crop without payout. Pink bollworm has ravaged fields since 2014, developing resistance to Bt cotton introduced in the early 2000s. A Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University report estimated an average loss of ₹15,143 per acre last kharif season, with total costs at ₹40,024 per acre against gross returns of ₹24,882 and yields of 4 quintals. Losses reached ₹17,515 per acre in Hisar. Ministry data shows Haryana's cotton area fell from 0.72 million hectares in 2019-20 to 0.40 million in 2024-25. Assistant scientist Vinay Mehla noted, “Pre-pink bollworm yields were 10-12 quintals per acre; now less than half. Last year’s floods worsened it.” In Sirsa, cotton area dropped 34.62% since 2020 while paddy rose 55.18%. Incentives like ₹8,000 per acre under ‘Mera Pani-Meri Virasat’ for water-wise crops and ₹3,000 for desi cotton have seen limited uptake. Laborers Ishwar and Birmati report reduced work from cotton picking, now turning to construction. The decline threatens local economy and boosts imports.