In the arid landscapes of Sirsa, once celebrated for its ‘white gold’—cotton—a quiet revolution is taking root. Farmers here are turning the tide on years of declining yields and mounting losses, thanks to a blend of cutting-edge technology and regenerative farming practices. The transformation is not just promising; it’s already yielding results that could reshape the future of cotton farming in North India.
At the heart of this revival is the South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC), which has been experimenting with high-tech interventions in the village of Gidda. During the Kharif 2024 season, SABC, in collaboration with the PI Foundation and the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), showcased how technology can breathe new life into cotton cultivation. The results were nothing short of remarkable. Traditional cotton yields in Haryana have hovered around 6–8 quintals per acre, but SABC’s demonstration plots achieved yields of 13–15 quintals per acre—more than double the usual output.
The secret lies in a combination of drip fertigation, canopy management, and integrated pest management (IPM). Drip fertigation, a technique that delivers water and fertilizers directly to plant roots, has slashed irrigation water usage by up to 60%. This is a game-changer for water-stressed districts like Rania and Ellenabad. Fertilizer usage has also dropped by 40%, reducing input costs and environmental damage. Farmers like Buta Singh, who have adopted these methods, are already seeing the benefits. “We used to irrigate in the normal way and scatter urea and DAP across the field,” Singh said. “Now, with drip lines, our resources are saved, and we get healthier crops with less disease.”
The regenerative model also addresses one of the most persistent challenges faced by cotton farmers: pest infestations. Pink bollworm, whiteflies, and the cotton leaf curl virus have devastated crops across Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, discouraging farmers from continuing with cotton farming. SABC’s approach uses IPM techniques like pheromone traps and mating disruption technology, significantly reducing the need for pesticides. “Instead of spraying indiscriminately, we are helping farmers monitor pest accumulation in a scientific way,” explained Dr. Deepak Jakhar, lead scientist at SABC. “We need to protect the crop and the ecosystem.”
The implications of this shift are profound. Cotton acreage across Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan has been on a steady decline, dropping by nearly 5 lakh hectares in 2024 compared to the previous year. Persistent pest attacks, high input costs, poor returns, and unreliable rainfall have all contributed to this decline. The shift from cotton to water-intensive crops like paddy has further exacerbated groundwater depletion, creating a vicious cycle of unsustainable farming.
SABC’s initiative in Sirsa offers a beacon of hope. “We have shown that cotton is profitable even under climate stress,” said Dr. Bhagirath Choudhary, Director of SABC. “It’s about applying science judiciously.” Dr. Dilip Monga, former head of the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) in Sirsa, echoes this sentiment. With over 30 years of experience in cotton research, Dr. Monga emphasizes the importance of transitioning to sustainable practices. “The two most important techniques for cotton are drip fertigation and pest management,” he asserted. “They are new lifelines.”
The area under regenerative cotton cultivation in Sirsa has already expanded from 2 acres last year to 5 acres this season. Exhibitions at the research station demonstrate drip line installations, solar-powered irrigation tanks, and live pest monitoring sessions. Farmers are not just shown the techniques; they are taught the science behind them. Buta Singh, one of the early adopters, has seen the difference firsthand. “The difference is for all to see,” he said. “We are saving on water and fertilizer, and still getting better prices for cotton quality and high yield.”
Experts believe that scaling up this regenerative model could reverse the decline of cotton in North India. However, they stress the need for support from the government, private players, and farmer cooperatives. Subsidies on drip kits, solar pumps, and capacity-building workshops are essential to reviving the cotton economy. As Dr. Monga put it, “It should be sooner than never.”