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Cotton production may decline by around 8 per cent to 294.10 lakh bales in the 2023-24 season due to lower yields in most growing regions, according to the Cotton Association of India (CAI) estimates released on Thursday. The total cotton production during the 2022-23 season (October-September) stood at 318.90 lakh bales of 170 kg each, according to CAI data. "The production this year is expected to lower by 24.8 lakh bales at 294.10 lakh bales following infestation of pink ball worms in the northern region, while the yield in the southern and the central regions will be affected due to no rainfall for 45 days from August, 1 till September 15," CAI president Atul Ganatra told PTI. The total supply till the end of November 2023 is estimated at 92.05 lakh bales which consists of the arrivals of 60.15 lakh bales, imports of 3 lakh bales and the opening stock of 28.90 lakh bales at the beginning of the season. Further, the CAI has estimated cotton consumption up to the end of November
The Haryana government is giving special incentives to farmers for adopting crop diversification, said an official statement here on Sunday. This will not only enhance their income but will also ensure the protection of the environment. The farmers' future centres around crop diversity, it said. In this direction, the state government took the initiative and started its ambitious Mera Pani-Meri Virasat Scheme, under which the key objective is to ensure water conservation while crop diversification. "This scheme is proving to be very effective, and considering its success, a target of saving 42,480 crore litres of water has been set for the year 2023-24," it said. Under the Mera Pani-Meri Virasat, scheme started in Kharif-2020, the government is providing financial assistance of Rs 7,000 per acre to the farmers for diversifying the paddy crop with alternative crops like maize, cotton, millet, pulses, vegetables and fruits, the statement quoted Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar as .