Better realisation to boost cotton acreage

State

FY08

FY09
(expected)

Gujarat

2.5

2.45

Maharashtra

3.1

3.3

Andhra Pradesh

1.08

1.3

Total

9.43

9.7

An early onset of monsoon has also helped increase the area under cotton cultivation, said Arun Dalal of Arun Dalal & Co, an Ahmedabad-based cotton trading firm.  However, the only exception this year is likely to be Gujarat, the largest cotton producing state in the country.  Cotton acreage in the state is likely to be slightly lower at 2.45 million hectares as against 2.5 million hectares in FY08.  According to industry sources, around 90 per cent of sowing has been completed in Punjab with 1.3 million hectares laikely to witness cotton sowing this year. Cotton production in the country is estimated to go up to 34 million bales this season compared with 31.5 million bales last year.  "Cotton sowing is progressing well across the country. Around 70 per cent sowing has already been completed in the country," said Kishor Shah, president, South Gujarat Cotton Dealers Association.  Also, cotton production in the country is estimated to increase to 34 million bales this Kharif season as compared to 31.5 million bales last year, he added.