Feelings of growing concern in the agricultural sector amid a decline in production per hectare in cotton

- Such product has come down to less than 500 kg: It is necessary to pay attention to the upgradation of new technology in seeds

The equation in the field of cotton-cotton production in the country has recently changed rapidly. Years ago, the country's growth in production was stagnant and since then, production has skyrocketed to a record 200 lakh bales a year. However, subsequent years also saw a reversal in production growth as new seeds also became infested with pests. Meanwhile, the recent rise in domestic cotton prices has led to a demand for relief in import duty on cotton imported into the country. Meanwhile, the country has seen a decline in production per hectare of cotton in the last three years, market analysts said. Such production per hectare has come down to less than 200 kg which is a matter of concern. According to sources in the Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption, the area under cotton cultivation in the country has increased in 2016 and beyond, but the production per hectare of cotton has declined. The committee includes cotton growers, traders, millers, exporters and government v. Representatives from various fields have been involved.

However, in the wake of the corona infestation in the domestic textile sector, the utilization of such capacity has in fact been less than the established capacity of production since March last year and has not resulted in a decline in the yield per hectare of cotton. However, in recent months, the demand for easing imports has been on the rise as the rupee has risen in the market. Under normal circumstances, the textile industry in the country consumes about 20 lakh bales of cotton annually. Last year, from October 2016 to September 2020, the country's cotton exports were around 3 lakh bales and this year, the target was set at around 3 lakh bales in the 2020-21 season at the beginning of the season. However since then the scenario has changed. Domestic prices have risen and in such an environment, there is a demand to increase imports. Recently, such a demand was made to the Central Government by the Southern India Mills Association in South India. According to sources in the association, the recent price hike by the Cotton Corporation of India and the government's 10 per cent import duty have led to a short supply of raw materials in the textile industry. India's cotton prices have become more expensive in the world market and new challenges have arisen in the textile sector at home. However, according to CCI sources, the increase in cotton prices by CCI has been less than the recent rise in global cotton prices and domestic rupee futures prices. About 60 per cent of the cotton sold by CCI has been bought directly by mills.

Meanwhile, the nuisance of the second wave of Corona has decreased recently but now the talk of the third wave has started. In addition, the cases of new Delta Coro variants are also on the rise, raising concerns again for the rupee market and the textile and garment market and industry. Meanwhile, according to market insiders, the growth of new technology in cotton seeds has been slow. If technology is not upgraded in this area, the expected growth in production per hectare is hampered. The highest production per hectare in the country in the year 2016-17 was 5 kg. In the year 2016-17, the area under cotton in the country was about 115 to 120 lakh hectares and the production per hectare increased to 5 kg in that period and the production of cotton in the country increased to about 200 lakh bales and about 4 lakh bales were recorded that year. However, in the 2015-16 season, the yield per hectare fell from 9 to 215 kg and at that time the area under cultivation increased to 12 to 15 lakh hectares, but the country's cotton production fell from 3 to 6 lakh bales that year. In the year 2016-17, the production of cotton per hectare was further reduced to less than 200 kg and the area under cotton cultivation was also reduced to 15 to 18 lakh hectares that year. In the period from 2015-16 till now, such product per hectare has been registered within 200 kg. Compared to India, cotton production per hectare has been significantly higher in tens like Australia, Brazil and USA. If we make a list of such products, India ranks 7th among various countries! Such products include Vietnam, Pakistan, Inner Coast, Ethiopia, Myanmar v. Countries are also ahead of India.