Cotton Plant
Context:
Recently the India-US trade deal grants zero-tariff access to US agricultural products, including cotton.
As per critics, this may lead to the dumping of subsidized US cotton in India, crashing domestic prices and making cotton farming unviable for Indian farmers who are already struggling with high input costs.
Cotton is
a Fibre and cash crop
Semi-xerophyte crop
Historical Background (Indus Valley Civilization):
India is considered the original home of the cotton plant.
The earliest evidence of cotton cultivation dates back to Mehrgarh (c. 5000 BCE).
The Harappans were likely the first to spin and weave cotton.
Archaeological finds at Mohenjo-Daro include fragments of woven cotton cloth and spindle whorls.
It was a major export item for the IVC; the Greeks referred to it as "wool produced by trees."
Climate & Soil Requirements
The crop requires a hot and humid climate with temperatures between 21°C and 30°C & a minimum of 210 frost-free days is essential for growth.
It ideally requires 50-100 cm of rainfall.
Dry weather is necessary during the ripening and harvesting phase for the bolls to open fully.
Black Soil (Regur) is the most ideal soil, found in the Deccan Plateau and it has a high moisture retention.
Alluvial Soil is also suitable especially in the Satluj-Ganga plains.
Crop Season & States:
Cotton is primarily a Kharif crop, but seasons vary by zone:
Northern Zone (Kharif) that has Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan.
Sowing: April - May
Harvesting: Oct - Dec.
Central Zone (Kharif) that has Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh.
Sowing: June - July
Harvesting: Nov - Feb
Southern Zone (Kharif & Rabi) that has Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.
Sowing: Aug - Sept.
In Tamil Nadu, it is also grown as a Rabi crop (winter season).
Key Producing States:
Maharashtra is the leading producer (~25%) followed by Gujarat (Second largest (~20%)) & Telangana (Third largest (~15%))