Jhajjar district embraces paddy, turns away from cotton cultivation

Despite the state government’s efforts to encourage paddy farmers to switch to alternative crops in a bid to promote groundwater conservation, Jhajjar district has witnessed an increase of 67,500 acres in paddy cultivation in the past four seasons. The primary reason for this is the significant decline in the area under cotton cultivation in the district. Many cotton farmers have shifted to paddy and other crops due to multiple reasons.

The local office of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department is actively working to encourage farmers to diversify away from paddy, and support cotton growers in managing pests and improving productivity.

“Paddy was cultivated over 96,750 acres in Jhajjar in 2021-22, which increased to 1,64, 250 acres in 2024-25. As many as 1,33,250 acres were under paddy cultivation in 2022-23, and 1,55,250 acres in 2023-24. In the current season, paddy has already been sown on 40,000 acres. In contrast, cotton crop was cultivated over 29,250 acres in 2021-22, which dropped sharply to 11,875 acres in 2024-25. The area remained at 21,250 acres in both 2022-23 and 2023-24,” an official of the Jhajjar Agriculture Department said.

Jasvir, a farmer from Kherka Gujjar village, said a majority of his fellow villagers had shifted from cotton to paddy cultivation due to low yields caused by pink bollworm infestations.

“This season, cotton has been sown only on a few acres, whereas, earlier, it was cultivated on over 50 acres in the village,” he added.

Dr Jitendra Ahlawat, Deputy Director (Agriculture), Jhajjar, said multiple factors were responsible for the decline in cotton cultivation in the district.

“Recurring pest attacks, especially pink bollworm, have reduced cotton yields. Rising input costs and labour shortages, too, are pushing farmers toward paddy, which offers an assured minimum support price (MSP) and government procurement,” he said.

The DDA added that 126 eligible farmers were provided incentives to promote cotton cultivation in the district last year.

Dr Ahlawat said the state government had introduced the Mera Pani, Meri Virasat (MPMV) scheme to reduce paddy cultivation, and conserve water resources.

“Under the scheme, eligible farmers receive financial incentives for shifting to crops such as maize, pulses, and cotton. Additional support includes subsidies for micro-irrigation systems, promotion of agroforestry, and assistance for crop diversification,” he added. “In 2022, 622 farmers in the district received incentives of Rs 7,000 per acre under the MPMV scheme. In 2023, 350 farmers benefited from the scheme. However, no farmer was found eligible for the incentive under the MPMV in 2024. For the current season, the incentive has been increased to Rs 8,000 per acre, and those who meet the eligibility criteria will be granted the benefit.”

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