Cotton production pegged at 376 lakh bales

India's cotton production this year is projected to be 376 lakh bales (170 kg each) - 15 lakh bales higher than the earlier estimates - on account of better yields in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, says the Indian Cotton Federation.
The cotton year runs from October-September.
Attributing the increase in estimates to better yields and quality in the two states, ICF President J Thulasidharan today said the crop in Andhra Pradesh has improved the yield and not suffered any damage as was anticipated, while in Maharashtra, quality and yield have shown remarkable increase.
Though Gujarat topped the list with 120 lakh bales, it was down by 5 lakh bales from the earlier estimate, followed by Maharashtra - 80 lakh bales as against 70 lakh and Andhra Pradesh 73 lakh bales, as against 65 lakh projected earlier, Thulasidharan said.

Projection in Tamil Nadu and Odisha remained at 5 lakh and 3 lakh bales respectively.