Nashik: Cotton production in north Maharashtra is likely to decline by 25% this year due to inadequate rainfall. Normal annual cotton production in north Maharashtra is about 20 lakh tonnes, and about 10 lakh hectares of land is used to cultivate this crop. According to the state agriculture department, cotton production this year may fall to 15 lakh tonnes.Cotton crops have been badly affected this year.Cotton production is likely to be reduced by 25-30% this year, said agricultural officials.Cotton is sown in all four districts of north Maharashtra — Jalgaon, Dhule, Nandurbar and Nashik. In Nashik, cotton is sown in Malegaon and Yeola talukas.Of the total cotton acreage, 60% is non-irrigated and 40% is irrigated. Exact quantum of losses will be known only after the harvest is over by January-end.There has been inadequate rainfall this year. There were no showers during more than 40 consecutive days in July and August, which is the primary period of growth for cotton crops. These districts had received showers in September. Some of the crops survived, but the yield was affected.In 2022-23, area under cotton cultivation in north Maharashtra was 10 lakh hectares and production was 19 lakh tonnes. This year (2023-24), the area under cotton crops has reduced to 9.6 lakh hectares and production is expected at around 15.4 lakh tonne, according to the state agriculture department. Deva Patil, a cotton farmer in Dhule district, said the inadequate rainfall had badly affected the cotton crops. The production is likely to reduce by 40%, he said.Jalgaon district is the major cotton hub in the region. The agriculture department had projected cotton crop sowing on 5 lakh hectares in Jalgaon for the current kharif season, but actual sowing has been done on 5.5 lakh hectares. Cotton crops have been sown on 2.3 lakh hectares in Dhule district, 1.3 lakh hectares in Nandurbar and 39,900 hectares in Nashik district.We also published the following articles recentlyPollution threat looms over 100 acres of cotton spreadFarmers in Wadoda village, Nagpur are facing a complete loss of their cotton crops due to heavy pollution from a nearby paper mill. The farmers met with Maharashtra Pollution Control Board officials to seek compensation for their losses. The pollution has not only blackened the cotton crops but also affected other vegetable crops. Despite their efforts to keep the cotton contamination-free, the pollution is causing significant damage. The authorities have promised to inspect the mill and take action if any violations are found. Another nearby village, Warada, has also suffered crop loss due to pollution from a coal washery.Greaves Cotton reports Rs 123.4crore standalone net profit in Q2Greaves Cotton, an engineering company, has reported a net profit of Rs 123.40 crore in Q2, up from Rs 33.79 crore in Q1 and Rs 22.64 crore in the same quarter last year. The companys revenue for Q2 was Rs 459 crore, an increase from Rs 396 crore in Q1 and Rs 374.14 crore in the previous years quarter. The company has seen growth in its standalone margins, with EBITDA at Rs 64 crore, a 42% increase from the first quarter of FY24. Greaves Electric Mobility also had its highest-ever quarterly sales in the electric three-wheeler segment, up 75% from Q1FY24.Unseasonal rainfall damages paddy crops in 7 tehsils in distUnseasonal rain in several tehsils of Pune district has damaged paddy crops and other standing crops, causing concern among farmers. The rain has submerged the crops and may affect their quality and output. Farmers are calling for compensation for their losses. The district agriculture officer has been instructed to assess the damage and submit a report to the state government. The loss of paddy crops is expected to increase the price of Indrayani rice in the market. This has particularly impacted tribal farmers who rely on paddy cultivation as their main source of income.

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