Demonstration of Yield and Economics under High Density Planting System in Cotton in Sangareddy District, Telangana, India

Abstract

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a major fibre and cash crop that plays a crucial role in sustaining India’s national economy. Telangana contributes substantially to the national cotton area (15.67%) and production (21%). A field study was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2024–25 and 2025–26 at farmers’ fields under ICAR–ATARI, Zone X, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Medak–1, to evaluate the impact of Front-Line Demonstrations (FLDs) on cotton productivity and profitability under a High-Density Planting System (HDPS). A total of 20 FLDs were conducted over 8 hectares across five villages in the Narayankhed and Zaheerabad talukas of Sangareddy district, Telangana, using the high-yielding cotton hybrid RCH-97 BG-II. The improved practice, comprising the recommended package of practices, was compared with the existing farmer’s practice, which served as the local check. Pooled analysis of two years’ data indicated that the improved practice recorded a mean seed cotton yield of 2905 kg ha⁻¹, representing a 20.27 % increase over the local check yield of 2410 kg ha⁻¹. The demonstrated technology resulted in an average extension gap of 495 kg ha⁻¹, technology gap of 595 kg ha⁻¹, and technology index of 16.99 %, indicating considerable scope for improving productivity through better adoption of recommended practices. Economic analysis revealed higher profitability under the improved practice, with a net return of Rs 128,987.12 ha⁻¹ and a benefit–cost ratio of 2.46, compared to Rs. 93,831.25 ha⁻¹ and 2.08, respectively, under farmer’s practice. The study demonstrates that adoption of HDPS with improved varieties significantly enhances cotton yield and farm income.