Rains to boost cotton yield in Haryana

Agriculturists are of the opinion that rains witnessed in the month of August would prove beneficial for cotton crop. Rains would also help increase the average yield for crop, said the agriculturists. With cotton area registering a 10 per cent decline in north Indian states including Punjab, Haryana and parts of Rajasthan, improving yield could be a positive news for the farmers as well as for the cotton mills.

Agriculture officials in Haryana said that with good rainfall in August, they were anticipating a 10 per cent rise in average yield of cotton this year, which are positive signs.

Punjab has registered 105.1 mm of rainfall in August while that for Haryana stands at 151.6 mm.

With deficient rainfall in July, there was a serious threat looming over quality and quantity of cotton, but now, say some agriculturists, the fear is subsiding.

Rakesh Rathi, president, North India Cotton Association, says rains till now has been good. Only concern remains if rains continue till last September it could have impact on the crop. Scientists and traders believe rains could help increase the average productivity of the cotton.

This indeed is a positive sign especially because cotton area this year has registered a decline compared to last year.

Rathi says the combined area for Punjab, Haryana and lower parts of Rajasthan this year has declined by 10 per cent.

The area under cotton this year has declined to 1.53 million hectares as against 1.69 million hectares last year. The less acreage would also impact the crop size of the crop which is estimated to be 55-57 lakh bales down from 64 lakh bales in the last crop year.