Punjab has been able to sow cotton on 5.67 million acres this season, 227,000 acres more than last year’s figure, and it aims to get close to 10 million bales.
Out of total 5.67 million acres, only 13 per cent was sown what is termed as early crop. The rest 87 per cent was sown after May 15 – regular sowing period for the crop.
“The farmers are now avoiding early sowing for two reasons,” says Abad Khan from central Punjab district of Chunian.
The crop was still yielding between 40 to 50 maunds, depending on the weather conditions. It was not worth 10-month long tendering of the crop. Thus the early sowing is now almost out of vogue now.”
