The Ladli Behna Yojna, a financial support initiative for women in Maharashtra, is creating a
labor shortage in cotton farming as women shift away from farm work, increasing harvesting
costs. The scheme, providing eligible women with ₹1,500 monthly, has attracted rural women
away from agricultural labor, causing a surge in cotton picking costs from ₹5 to ₹9 per
kilogram.
Cotton farmers, like Ganesh Nanote in Vidarbha, report rising labor costs during this critical
harvest period, with some expecting rates to reach as high as ₹30 per kilogram in later harvest
phases. Although cotton quality and yields have improved this season, the labor gap has
intensified due to the scheme’s financial draw.
Maharashtra, one of India’s largest cotton producers, has also seen a decline in cotton sowing
area from 4.2 million hectares in the previous season to 4 million hectares. In the broader
context, adverse weather, pests, and other factors have affected cotton output, with total
production expected to decrease further in FY24.
