Drought hits Chandrapur cotton farmers, yield may fall 35-50 per cent
Erratic rain and a long dry spell have stressed the crop in Chandrapur, where 12 talukas are under Trigger-1 and crop-loss surveys have begun.
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Cotton farmers in Chandrapur district are living under the shadow of drought this year. Rainfall was low and uneven, with a long dry spell in between. This created water stress that has directly affected the cotton crop. Twelve talukas of the district have been placed under 'Trigger-1' in view of the drought conditions. A steep fall in cotton yield is feared. World Cotton Day is observed on October 7 every year, and this year's official theme is 'Cotton for Good', but for the district's cotton farmers it is a year of worry.
In Kharif 2026, crops were sown on a total of 4,70,277 hectares in Chandrapur district. Cotton is the most important crop, covering 1,93,944 hectares. Paddy covers 1,86,042 hectares and soybean 53,976 hectares. Cotton therefore carries great weight in the district's Kharif economy.
Heavy rain stress built up this time during the growth stage of the cotton crop. In many areas the squares and flowers are dropping, fewer bolls are setting and plant growth has stopped. A recent field survey has indicated a fall of about 35 to 50 per cent in cotton productivity. Despite the high cost of sowing, farmers are worried that they will not get the expected yield.
After Trigger-1 came into force in the 12 talukas, panchnamas of crop losses and a survey of crop conditions have begun. Instructions have been issued to compile the present condition of the crop, the extent of damage, photographs and other records, and to prepare a report.
Several measures have been announced for drought-hit areas. They include restructuring of crop loans, a halt on loan recovery and a waiver on electricity bills for farm pumps. Chandrapur is also an important centre for cotton procurement. In the 2025-26 season, the Cotton Corporation of India bought 2,82,786 bales of cotton from 59,740 farmers of the district. This shows the large scale of the district's cotton economy.
District Superintending Agriculture Officer Shankar Totawar said the adverse weather this year has put stress on the cotton crop. He appealed to farmers to report crop losses to the concerned agriculture officers and to cooperate in the panchnama process. He asked them to treat any pest or disease attack on cotton only on the advice of experts, to use the available water sparingly, and to plan crops for the next season keeping in mind weather and water availability.
