Cotton Corporation to set up ginning mill in Andhra Pradesh

Plans to acquire 7.17 hectares of NTC's land on lease

The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), which carries out market intervention to support cotton farmers, has signed a memorandum of understanding with National Textile Corporation (NTC) to set up a ginning-cum-pressing mill in Andhra Pradesh.

CCI plans to acquire 7.17 hectares (ha) of NTC’s land on lease. “We procure around 100,000 tonnes of cotton in this area out of its total production of around 400,000 tonnes. Hence, cotton would be adequately supplied to our forward integration unit. Initially, we are looking at setting up a pressing and ginning plant with 60,000-tonne capacity,” said B K Mishra, chairman-cum- managing director of CCI. Besides, the company plans to set up a warehouse with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes for storage of cotton.

The company has earmarked Rs 20 crore for these projects. The company, which also deals in commercial cotton trade, has sought expansion of area of activity to enable procurement of jute and other agricultural commodities.

CCI procured 441,000 tonnes of cotton so far this year of which around 90 per cent was for commercial use. The remaining 10 per cent to the tune of 40,000 tonne of cotton was procured under market intervention scheme.

"We get an opportunity to procure huge quantity of cotton at the minimum support price (MSP) once in four years. In the remaining period, therefore, we execute commercial cotton procurement. Forward integration would certainly help us test the market and set a benchmark for yarn and fabric industry in India," said Mishra.