Farmers Consider Alternatives Amid Cotton Price and Labor Issues

Switching to Moong and Basmati Rice Gains Popularity

Baldev Singh, a farmer near Bathinda in Punjab, plans to switch from growing cotton to moong (green gram) and Basmati rice this year. He cites two main reasons for this switch: the low prices he receives for cotton and the increasing costs and availability issues of labor. Other farmers in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat are likely to join him in this shift. Some, like Jaipal Reddy in Telangana, are considering cultivating high-density planting system (HDPS) cotton to cope with labor challenges.

Labor Shortages Hit Cotton Farmers Hard

Increased Costs and NREGS Impact Availability

Industry sources indicate that cotton acreage in Punjab and Rajasthan may be lower due to severe labor shortages. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) has worsened the problem, offering workers around $3,60 a day. In Rajasthan, some farmers even offered a portion of their crop to laborers to harvest cotton bolls. Telangana, one of the largest cotton-growing states, faces a severe labor shortage, especially for picking. Farmers now pay $0,14 per kg for picking cotton, up from $0,12. This has increased overall harvesting costs significantly.

Pest Infestation and Local Jobs Reduce Labor Migration

Pink Bollworm and Development Activities Impact Cotton Farming

Severe pink bollworm infestation has also discouraged laborers from working in the fields, particularly in Rajasthan. The infestation led to lower productivity, making it less appealing for laborers to engage in cotton picking. Additionally, developmental activities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have reduced labor migration to other states, including northern India. In Gujarat, farmers struggle as many workers from Madhya Pradesh are staying closer to home due to local job opportunities. Despite these challenges, some farmers, like Jaipal Reddy, are adapting by expanding HDPS cotton cultivation. Choudhary from the South Asia Biotechnology Centre emphasizes the need for awareness among farmers in North India to combat the pink bollworm threat.

Indian cotton farmers are facing significant challenges due to labor shortages and low prices, prompting some to switch to alternative crops. The rise in labor costs, impact of NREGS, and local job opportunities in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have further exacerbated the situation.