New Delhi: Ladli Behna Yojna, which aims to empower women in Maharashtra through financial incentives, is affecting cotton farming in the state by alienating women from farms, creating labor shortage and increasing harvesting costs.

Women make up a significant portion of farm labor, but eligible women ₹Financial assistance of 1,500 per month has diverted rural women from agricultural work.

As a result, cotton growers are struggling to meet their labor needs during the ongoing critical harvest season in one of the major cotton-growing states in the country.

“Although cotton production and quality are better this season, the populist plan will reduce cotton picking costs.” ₹5 per kg ₹9 per kg in the first round,” said Ganesh Nanote, a cotton farmer in Vidharbha district of Maharashtra.

“Workers can harvest up to 90 kg per day, ₹800 per day and costs are expected to go up to 800 ₹30 per kg in the later stages of cotton harvest,” Nanote said.

The first phase of cotton picking started in October and will continue until January next year.

Payments under the program began in July with the first transfer. ₹3,000 per beneficiary for the months of July and August.

cotton cultivation

Cotton cultivation fell to 11.27 million hectares from 12.37 million hectares last year, according to data from the Union agriculture ministry.

According to Cotton Association of India (CAI) data, cotton cultivation in Maharashtra has also decreased from 4.2 million hectares in the 2022-23 season to 4 million hectares in the current kharif season.

In FY21, Maharashtra produced 10 million bales of cotton, while in FY22, production dropped to 8.2 million bales. In FY23 production increased slightly to 8.3 million bales.

According to CAI’s estimates, production in FY24 is scheduled to fall further to 8 million bales.

“The decline in cotton production in Maharashtra from FY21 to FY23 can be attributed to adverse weather conditions, pest outbreaks, rising input costs, deterioration in soil health, market fluctuations, water scarcity and changes in crop preference. These factors collectively led to reduced cultivation “There are areas and lower yields in this period,” a senior government official said on condition of anonymity.

“If farmers are complaining about labor shortage, it may be a part-time issue rather than a regular issue. We will investigate whether this is due to Ladli Behna Yojna or other factors. We will keep a close eye on the issue,” said this person.

Director NR Bhanumurthy said, “This would have improved the bargaining power of workers. While there may be some increase in collection costs, it may not be to the extent that farmers had envisaged. Moreover, the scheme should not be blamed for these changes.” , Madras School of Economics, Chennai and a noted economist.

Comparatively, total cotton production across India was 35 million bales in FY21, 31 million bales in FY22 and increased to 33 million bales in FY23. Total production in FY24 is estimated at 32.5 million bales.

As of October 25, the arrival of mandis cotton from Maharashtra stood at 162,000 bales (1 bale equals 170 kg), while Gujarat reported arrivals of 319,800 bales. Cotton picking started on October 1 in both states.

Maharashtra’s share in total cotton production fluctuated during these years. In FY21, Maharashtra contributed around 28.7% to India’s total cotton production. This share decreased to 26.4% in FY22 and further decreased to approximately 24.7% in FY23.

Emailed questions to the Maharashtra government and the Union agriculture ministry remained unanswered till press time.