Hafed Targets 10,000 Bales Of Cotton Exports In 1997-98

The Haryana State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation (Hafed) will export 10,000 bales of cotton during the current financial year, according to Narbir Singh, the state co-operation minister.Last year, Hafed had exported 5,000 bales of cotton, valuing Rs 4.38 crore.

Hafed will purchase 50,000 bales of cotton this year, up from 30,000 bales purchased last year. It has already purchased 12,370 metric tonnes of mustard oil and 121 metric tonnes of gram.

The minister said Hafed is playing a significant role in the procurement of wheat and paddy for the central pool. During the current season, the state federation has procured 9.23 lakh tonnes of wheat . Besides the support price of Rs 415 per quintal, the federation has also given a bonus of Rs 60 per quintal to the farmers.

Hafed plans to procure 70,000 tonnes of paddy during the coming paddy season, the minister disclosed.

The federation has also decided to provide agricultural inputs to farmers through mini banks all over the state.

Singh also stressed on the need to produce the best quality of pesticides in the Hafed plant to compete with the multi-national companies in the market. He directed officers of the federation to maintain quality control of the pesticides in order to give maximum benefits to the farmers.