Cotton sowings for the 1999-2000 crop which commenced in the northern zone of the country , comprising Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, are nearing completion after commencing in the month of May. Preliminary reports indicate that the total area in this zone may be maintained at the 1998-99 level.

However, a shift in the cultivation of varieties has been noted in the case of Desi and American cotton, says East India Cotton Association's report.The indication is that there may be some drop in the area under Desi cotton which is most likely to be made up by the increased sowings of American cotton.

The fall in acreage under desi cotton is said to be particularly sharp in Rajasthan. However a clear picture regarding cultivation pattern is expected only by the end of June or the beginning of July. Sowings of cotton in areas fed by wells in thecentral zone comprising Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have also been in progress since May. Plantings of rainfed cotton in this zone wil commence with the onset of monsoon which is expected during the second fortnight of June. However in the southern zone comprising Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka major sowings are likely to be in full swing in July.