Farmers to protest cotton export policy

A large number of cotton farmers from across Gujarat are expected to come to Rajkot on Friday to protest against the central government's cotton export policy.

Maha Gujarat Agricotton Producer Company Limited (MGAPCL), a co-operative cotton marketing firm owned by farmers, has organised a farmers' gathering at Rajkot for protesting the government's stand on cotton export.

This comes in the wake of the central government's decision to defer the commencement of cotton exports by a month from the earlier date of October 1 to November 1. The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry has welcomed that decision.

MGAPCL's call found support from Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, and as many as 20,000 farmers are expected to attend the gathering.

“Cotton export policy is not good for farmers. Limited export of cotton will affect farmers financially. We are demanding that government should give permission to export of 1 crore bales (1 bale= 170 kg) of cotton with immediate effect as this year production is estimated to rise,” said Praful Senjaliya, chairman, MGAPCL.

MGAPCL intends to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to demand a raise in the limit of cotton export to 1 crore bales.