At a time when cotton cultivation in northern India is facing a significant crisis, with yields stagnating between 8 and 14 quintals per acre, regular pest attack, and area under the crop decreasing particularly in Punjab, a 68-year-old farmer and his daughter-in-law from Shahpur Begu village in Sirsa district, Haryana, are leading by example. Amid calls from experts for high-yield seeds capable of producing 18 to 20 quintals per acre, this farmer has demonstrated that sustainable practices and innovation can exceed expectations. By developing hybrid seeds of desi kapas (indigenous cotton), his efforts have not only achieved yields of up to 20–21 quintals kapas (cotton that is not separated from seed) per acre under normal conditions but also provided a resilient solution to challenges posed by pests and climatic unpredictability. He has also managed to earn a net profit of over Rs 3 lakh per acre after covering all expenses. Raja Ram has been practicing agriculture since his teenage days on his family’s four acres, which he has now expanded to six acres using earnings from cotton seed cultivation. In 1990, inspired by a visit to the Department of Agriculture, he adopted new agricultural practices, and in 2003, he began cultivating hybrid seeds of desi cotton, starting with the AAH-1 variety developed by Hisar Agricultural University. Over the years, he expanded his repertoire to include CICR-2, developed by the Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR), and Moti, a variety from Punjab Agricultural University. Leveraging his experience, Ram has developed his own hybrid variety, which he plans to provide to farmers from the season. His hybrid seeds are in high demand across Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, the three major cotton-growing states of north India. "Desi cotton has an inherent ability to adapt to adverse climatic conditions and offers sustainable yields,” the farmer explained. “Proper monitoring and timely management techniques, such as those I use to combat pests like the pink bollworm and whitefly, can ensure healthy crops and high yields.” “I started cultivating hybrid seeds on just two kanals (1/4th of an acre) over two decades ago, producing 90 kg of seed, which I sold at Rs 300 per kg and gradually increased to six acres now in there past two decades. With immense support from scientists at Indian Council of Agricultural research (ICAR) -CICR, I continued producing hybrid seeds since then and introduced my daughter-in-law, Manju Rani, to the process in 2010. Together, we underwent training from ICAR-CICR between 2007 and 2018 under their hybrid seed production skill development programmes,” said Ram. On average, Ram grows high-quality seeds for approximately 1,800 acres annually and has previously grown up to 3,000 acres with different varieties yielding excellent results. “From one quintal of kapas, we obtain about 33 kg of lint and 65-66 kg of seed, with the remaining 1-2% being waste,” he says. The process begins with sowing desi cotton in mid-April, allowing for early management and optimal seed quality. By July, pollen crossing of male and female plants starts, followed by the first picking in mid-September and two more pickings through November. The farmer then rotates the land with crops like wheat, mustard, fenugreek, and green fodder, before resuming cotton sowing in April. His seed production generates significant income, with each acre yielding an income of approximately Rs 4.8 lakh and a net profit of Rs 3 to Rs 3.3 lakh after expenses. Beyond personal gain, their efforts create employment for around 25 women per acre during the picking season. Manju says that under her father-in-law's guidance, and CICR support, she learned the skills and also trained several other women. “I was also honoured with an appreciation award from ICAR in 2020-21 for my contributions when I produced 275 kg of CICR-2 seed, earning an impressive profit per acre,” she says. The hybrid varieties of desi cotton, characterized by short-staple fibers measuring 17 to 18 mm and coarse texture, are ideal for producing surgical cotton and denim. These varieties also have the potential to replace stagnant Bt cotton, which is grown over 90% area of North, yields in Northern India. Raja Ram has received recognition not only from ICAR in the form of appreciation letters and awards but also from three Chief Ministers of the state for his remarkable contributions. “By embracing traditional crops and innovative practices, it has been proven that desi cotton can thrive in modern agriculture. With proper seed management and pest control, farmers can set benchmarks for others to follow, even with just 6 acres of land, paving a profitable future for cotton farmers across India,” said Raja Ram. “The farmer has everything — he is the owner of his fields and can achieve anything with determination, the will to succeed, an openness to the latest technologies, and an aptitude for innovation. However, today's farmers are often more focused on begging for assistance rather than creating and finding solutions themselves,” he summed up.
