Cotton yield improves significantly in Rajasthan

It has risen from 415 kg of lint a hectare in 2007-08 to 785 kg projected in 2013-14

Rajasthan farmers’ cotton yield has risen significantly in recent years, from 415 kg of lint a hectare in 2007-08 to 785 kg a ha projected in 2013-14; the national average is 550 kg a ha.  Output in the state has risen from around 200,000 bales (each 170 kg) in 2007-08 to 900,000 bales in 2012-13.

The Cotton Development and Research Association, which looks after the cotton extension activities of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI)  has been working for the past six years on improving the yield in 630 villages spread over the districts of Banswara, Bhilwara, Rajsamand, Ajmer, Jodhpur , Nagaur and Pali — about 78,000 ha in all.

The programme was sponsored by the central government’s directorate of cotton development. Availability of experienced field officers who’ve helped farmers in drip irrigation, pest management and motivation to exploit local resources have helped.

So has introduction of genetically modified seeds.

P D Patodia, chairman of CITI’s standing committee on cotton expects to have a yield of 1,000 kg of lint a ha in Rajasthan over the next few years.

Patodia informed the fact that the CITI CDRA implemented the Front Line Demonstration Programme on Cotton Production Technology and Integrated Pest Management, sponsored by the Directorate of Cotton Development, Govt. of India in 630 villages from Banswara, Bhilwara, Rajsamand, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur and Pali districts during the period from 2008-09 to 2013-14 in an area of 78,000 hectares.