The decline in cotton cultivation in India can be attributed to several factors:

Pest Attacks: Cotton crops are vulnerable to pest attacks, with the pink bollworm being a major threat. These pests can significantly reduce the yield and quality of cotton, leading to farmers facing economic losses. Inadequate pest management techniques and resistance to pesticides have further aggravated the problem.

Climate Change: Changing climatic conditions, including unpredictable rainfall patterns, droughts, and heat waves, have negatively impacted cotton cultivation. Climate change has disrupted the crop cycle, reduced water availability, and increased the risk of crop failure, making it less viable for farmers.

High Input Costs: Cotton cultivation requires substantial inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation. The increasing cost of these inputs, coupled with fluctuating market prices, has made cotton farming financially unviable for many farmers. The lack of affordable credit and access to modern farming technologies further exacerbate this issue.

Market Price Fluctuations: Despite the MSP mechanism, market prices often fall below the MSP, leading to a decline in farmers' income. The lack of effective procurement and market infrastructure, coupled with global price fluctuations, exposes farmers to price risks and discourages them from continuing cotton cultivation.

Shifting to Alternative Crops: In some regions, farmers have shifted from cotton cultivation to other crops with better market prospects and higher profitability. This shift can be attributed to factors such as changes in cropping patterns, government schemes promoting alternative crops, and the search for more sustainable and profitable agricultural practices.

It is crucial to tackle the underlying challenges. This includes implementing effective pest management strategies, promoting climate-resilient farming practices, improving access to affordable credit and agricultural inputs, enhancing market infrastructure, and ensuring timely procurement at MSP to provide farmers with the necessary support and encourage them to continue cotton cultivation. Additionally, research and development efforts to develop pest-resistant varieties, improved irrigation techniques, and better agronomic practices can also contribute to revitalizing cotton cultivation in the country.