Drought impacted seed production in Karnataka last year; Acreages likely to be maintained in the Kharif 2024-25 season

However, a shortage of premium cotton hybrid seeds may affect cropping trends.

In the Central and South zones, the top two cotton-producing regions in the country, acreages are likely to be maintained in the forthcoming kharif season on the forecast of a normal monsoon. Still, a shortage of premium cotton hybrid seeds looms large and is likely to weigh on the cropping trends. This is even as cotton faces a weak sentiment in the North zone, where the acreages are likely to come down by 20-30 per cent on account of rising pest infestations.