Context
According to the Cotton Association of India, India’s cotton cultivation has declined and will be down by 10% to 12% this season compared with the last one.
About
- It is because of the falling crop yields per hectare.
- The area under cotton last year was 127 lakh hectares. This has dropped to 108 lakh hectares thus far this year.
- The crop size has reduced within the northern area (Punjab, Rajasthan, and so forth) by almost 35% due to crimson bollworm infestation.
- While in Telangana, it has reduced in size by 7% and in Gujarat, the region decreased by 13% to 15% as farmers shifted to groundnut and tur dal cultivation.
- The carry forward stock for the following season will be nil. Further, the government has multiplied the Minimum Support Price for raw cotton by ₹500 per quintal for 2024-2025 season.
- This is likely to elevate cotton prices in the subsequent season, which begins in October.
Cotton Industry in India
- Cotton is one of the most essential industrial plants cultivated in India and accounts for around 23% of the entire worldwide cotton production.
- Employment: It plays a chief role in maintaining the livelihood of an estimated 6 million cotton farmers and 40-50 million people engaged in associated activities which include cotton processing & trade.
- The Indian Textile Industry consumes a diverse range of fibres and yarns and the ratio of use of cotton to non – cotton fibres in India is around 60:40 while it is 30:70 in the rest of the sector.
- Cotton is also one of the most important contributors to India’s net forex by manner of exports within the form of raw cotton, intermediate products consisting of yarn and fabrics to final finished products in the form of garments.
- Due to its economic importance in India, it’s also termed as “White-Gold”.
Production and Consumption of Cotton in India
- India is the only country which grows all four species of cotton G. Arboreum & G. Herbaceum (Asian cotton), G. Barbadense (Egyptian cotton) and G. Hirsutum (American Upland cotton).
- Majority of cotton production comes from nine major cotton growing states, that are grouped into 3 numerous agro-ecological zones, as under:
- Northern Zone – Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan
- Central Zone – Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
- Southern Zone – Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
- Apart from the above the cotton is likewise grown within the nation of Odisha and Tamil Nadu.
- India is having 2nd region inside the global with predicted manufacturing of 5.84 Million Metric Tonnes during cotton season 2022-23 i.e. 23.83% of global cotton manufacturing.
- India is likewise the second biggest patron of cotton in the world with predicted consumption of 22.24% of world cotton consumption.
Major Constraints in Cotton Production
- Nearly 65 percent cotton area is rainfed, mainly within the Central and Southern States.
- Cotton crop is highly prone to pests and illnesses.
- Wide fluctuation in cotton charges, insufficient market infrastructure and cotton export policy.
- Productivity: While the arena common is 800 kg according to hectare, it’s far almost half that in India, at approximately 480 kg a hectare.
- Farmer’s Income: Indian farmers earn ₹90,000 per hectare a season as compared with ₹5 lakhs that their Australian counterparts earn.
Government Initiatives
- Cotton Corporation of India (CCI): The CCI performs a vital role inside the cotton industry by procuring and storing cotton, ensuring truthful price, and stabilizing the marketplace. It also enables the improvement of cotton advertising infrastructure.
- Minimum Support Price (MSP): Every year earlier than the graduation of the Cotton Year (Oct. To Sept.), the Ministry of Agriculture, primarily based at the pointers of Advisory Board viz., Commission for Agricultural price and Prices (CACP) fixes the MSP so one can supply incentives to the Cotton farmers of the country.
- Mobile App “Cott-Ally”: CCI advanced an exclusive mobile app, “Cott-Ally” for cotton farmers of their nearby language.
- Branding of Indian Cotton: Brand name for Indian cotton was launched on the event of World Cotton Day as “Kasturi Cotton India” to attain the objective of creating India Atmanirbhar and vocal for local in the field of cotton.
- Integrated Cotton Development Programme (ICDP): This software pursuits to beautify cotton productiveness through a comprehensive method, which include better agronomic practices, pest control, and farmer education.
Way Ahead
- The future of the cotton industry in India holds widespread ability, but figuring out it requires addressing several demanding situations and leveraging opportunities.
- Sustainable Farming Practices: Focus on research to improve soil fitness, water use performance, and organic farming methods.
- Improved Irrigation: Enhance irrigation infrastructure to help cotton cultivation in regions dealing with water scarcity.
- Storage and Processing Facilities: Invest in modern ginning, spinning, and storage centers to lessen post-harvest losses and improve quality.
- Financial Support: Strengthen monetary assist mechanisms, along with subsidies, coverage, and credit centers, to decorate farmers’ resilience and funding capability.
Source: The Hindu