High-density cotton cropping system helps farmers increase revenue by 50%

Kalaburagi: Scores of farmers in the drought-prone districts of Raichur, Yadgir and Dharwad are reaping rich rewards following the adoption of the high-density cotton cropping system rolled out by Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, and the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur. The two agencies, which are carrying out a pilot study on the system since 2023, have found that the new system can immensely benefit farmers owning dry land boasting only medium fertility.

Nearly 160 farmers in Raichur district, aided by scientists from the Raichur Krishi Vignan Kendra, cultivating cotton using this new system across 450 acres have seen their yield increase by almost 50%. This is largely owing to the reduction in intra- and inter-row spacing. Traditionally, cotton seeds are sown along rows separated by three-and-a-half feet, whereas in the high-density system, the distance is reduced to only 2.9 feet. Similarly, the plants in each row are separated by more than two feet in the traditional system, which not only leaves farmers with fewer plants, but also hinders the ability of each plant to absorb nutrients owing to excessive height.

Consequently, reduction in spacing allows farmers to grow up to 15,000 cotton plants in a single acre. Although the high-density method requires more cotton seeds of suitable hybrid varieties, the system ensures improved nutrient absorption by each plant.

This, in turn, ensures that each plant produces 30 to 40 bolls, markedly higher than the yield farmers would get by using the traditional methods. Reduced proliferation of weeds on the farm and a reduction in labour costs – by nearly 90% – are some of the other notable advantages of the high-density system.

B Shanthareddy, a farmer from Koppar village in Devadurg in Raichur, is understandably elated with the success he has had following the adoption of the new system.

Shanthareddy, who was cultivating cotton across four acres two years ago, is now growing the crop across 20 acres.

“Using the high-density system, I was able to sow five packets of seeds on one acre, whereas I had sown only three packets earlier. My yield shot up from 10 quintals per acre to 16 quintals, and my revenue shot up by almost 50%. I am now planning on cultivating cotton across 60 acres I own,” said Shantareddy, who has a BTech in agriculture engineering.

Head of Raichur Krishi Vignan Kendra Dr Hanumanthappa Srihari said that they were supplying hybrid seeds suitable for cultivation after conducting experiments on high-density cotton cropping. He noted that the method had proven immensely profitable for farmers with small land holdings.

Dr Hanumanthappa said that the method was first tested in Brazil, and then launched as a pilot project in the arid parts of Karnataka. “We are providing growth regulators through chemicals to reduce the height of plants. This is suitable for shallow farmland, the fertility of which is low. ICAR and CICR scientists are expected to extend the pilot study for a few more years, encouraging more farmers to adopt this system,” he added.