Cotton is produced in India in three zones viz., Northern zone comprising

the States of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, Central zone comprising

the States of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat and Southern zone

comprising the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Besides

these nine States, cotton cultivation has gained momentum in the eastern State of Orissa.

With increased acreage and advent of Bt cultivation, the country has achieved

cotton production of 5.90 million metric tons in cotton season 2011-12 as against

5.76 million metric tons in the previous year. The country has once again retained

the position as the second largest cotton producing country in the world, after

China.

The cotton yield during the year 2012- 13 is estimated at 489kgs per hectare as

against 493kgs per hectare in previous year.