Punjab, the heartland of India’s agriculture, has long been known for its fertile plains and hardworking farmers. While wheat and rice dominate, cotton farming (kapas kikheti) also plays a vital role in sustaining livelihoods and supporting the textile industry. Cotton is often called the “white gold” of Punjab because of its contribution to rural income and the state’s economy.
But in recent years, floods have emerged as a major threat to this sector. Heavy monsoon rains and overflowing rivers have submerged thousands of acres of farmland. Unlike paddy, which thrives in water, cotton is extremely sensitive to excess moisture. The result has been massive crop losses, falling incomes, and growing frustration among farmers.
How Floods Impact Cotton Farming
1. Excess Water and Crop Loss
Kapas ki kheti (Cotton plants) need well-drained soil. When fields are waterlogged for even two to three days, the roots begin to rot. In districts such as Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka, and Muktsar, large cotton belts have been left devastated, with crops completely wiped out. Surviving plants often show poor growth and underdeveloped cotton bolls, making recovery nearly impossible.
2. Rising Pests and Diseases
Flooded fields create perfect conditions for fungal diseases and pest attacks. Whiteflies, boll rot, and leaf spots are increasingly common in flood-hit areas. These issues not only reduce yields but also lower the fibre quality, pushing prices down in the market. Farmers are then forced to spend more on pesticides, adding to their financial stress.
3. Shrinking Cultivation Area
Punjab’s cotton acreage has already been falling due to shifting weather patterns, pest problems, and farmer preference for more stable crops. This year, sowing dropped to just 1.19 lakh hectares the lowest in decades. With over 30,000 acres destroyed by floods, cotton output has taken another sharp hit.
4. Pressure from Cheaper Imports
To protect textile industries from raw material shortages, the government has permitted duty-free cotton imports until 2025. While this helps manufacturers, it hurts domestic farmers. Imported cotton is cheaper, which reduces market prices for local kapas. Farmers, who already face higher costs of seeds, fertilizers, and labor, now struggle to earn enough to cover expenses.
Farmers’ Struggles in the Flood Aftermath
Total Crop Destruction
For many cultivators, this year’s cotton crop is a complete failure. Once-healthy fields now resemble wastelands, with little hope of harvesting anything worthwhile.
Growing Financial Stress
Cotton farming requires significant upfront investment. With destroyed crops, farmers cannot recover their costs. Although the Punjab government announced ₹20,000 per acre compensation, cultivators argue that the amount is far too low compared to actual expenses. Small-scale farmers, who depend entirely on cotton income, are now drowning in debt.
Infrastructure Damage
The floods have also damaged irrigation channels, tubewells, bunds, and farm machinery. Repairing this infrastructure requires more money—something most farmers simply don’t have. Meanwhile, loan repayment deadlines and preparations for the Rabi season add to their burden.
Key Challenges in Recovery
1. Deposits of Silt and Sand – After floods, fields are covered with silt and sand, blocking soil aeration and reducing fertility. Clearing debris is costly, delaying land preparation for crops.
2. Short Time Frame – Farmers have limited time to prepare fields for wheat. Flood damage causes delays, cutting yields and income, and creating a ripple effect on the next cropping cycle.
3. Lack of Accessible Support – Relief exists but small farmers can’t afford heavy machinery for silt clearance. Without timely, practical aid, recovery becomes slow and fields remain unfit.
Building a Resilient Future for Cotton Farming
1. Strengthening Drainage Infrastructure
Floods in Punjab highlight the urgent need for a reliable drainage network. Poorly maintained canals and blocked village drains cause waterlogging, which ruins cotton fields. By investing in modern drainage systems, regular desilting of canals, and rainwater harvesting, the state can divert excess water quickly. This will prevent long-term damage to crops and protect farmlands from turning into unproductive swamps.
2. Promoting Climate-Resilient Practices
Unpredictable monsoons and recurring pest attacks are major threats to cotton farming. Research institutions must develop flood-tolerant and pest-resistant cotton varieties to minimize risks. Farmers should also be encouraged to diversify their crops instead of relying solely on cotton. Additionally, adopting integrated pest management (IPM) techniques will reduce pesticide dependence and make farming more sustainable.
3. Restoring Soil Fertility
Floodwaters often leave behind layers of sand, silt, and chemical imbalances that reduce soil fertility. To restore productivity, farmers need soil testing facilities, organicmanure, and subsidies for eco-friendly fertilizers like compost and green manure. Government support for affordable machinery to remove silt will also help small farmers reclaim their land quickly. Healthy soil ensures better yields in the long run.
4. Ensuring Fair Market Returns
Market fluctuations and cheap cotton imports leave farmers with poor earnings. To protect them, the government must guarantee a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton. MSP ensures that farmers receive fair returns despite changes in global markets. Stable prices will not only safeguard livelihoods but also encourage more farmers to continue cultivating cotton rather than shifting to other crops.
5. Expanding Crop Insurance and Early Warnings
Natural disasters like floods are unpredictable, but farmers can be better prepared. Affordable crop insurance schemes can compensate farmers for unexpected losses, reducing financial stress. At the same time, village-level weather forecasting and earlywarning systems will allow farmers to take preventive actions such as draining fields or applying protective sprays before damage worsens. These measures will make cotton farming more resilient to future challenges
Final Thought
Floods have left Punjab’s cotton farmers battling not just crop failure but also rising debts and shrinking opportunities. While compensation offers temporary relief, the real solution lies in long-term reforms stronger drainage systems, soil restoration programs, climate-resilient seeds, and fair pricing policies.
Cotton farming in Punjab is more than an agricultural practice it is the livelihood of thousands and a backbone of the state’s textile economy. Safeguarding it is essential for both farmers and Punjab’s economic stability.
FAQs on Floods and Cotton Farming in Punjab
1. How badly have floods damaged cotton in Punjab?
Floods submerged thousands of acres, causing root rot and total crop loss in many areas.
2. Which regions are most affected?
The districts of Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka, and Muktsar are the worst-hit cotton belts.
3. Why is cotton so vulnerable to floods?
Cotton cannot tolerate excess water. Continuous waterlogging causes fungal diseases, pest infestations, and plant death.
4. What relief has the government provided?
The Punjab government announced ₹20,000 per acre compensation and sought funds for land restoration under RKVY.
5. How do imports affect local cotton farmers?
Cheaper imported cotton reduces domestic prices, leaving local farmers with lower earnings.
6. What is the way forward for cotton farming?
Better drainage, flood-resistant varieties, soil restoration, MSP support, and crop insurance are key to ensuring a sustainable future.
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