CCI expects slight rise in cotton output

This cotton year, when cotton bales started rolling (October-September), all eyes were on the production estimates of India,the world's major producer.

The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) expects slight increase in the production but does not have exact figure because of the devastation done by incessant rains and cyclone in some cotton producing areas.

In 2004- 05, the production was 243 lakh bales (170 kg each) and this year estimates hover around 250 lakh bales.

Last year, the country had exported 10 lakh bales, which was 2.1 lakh bales less compared to 2003-04. Mill consumption was 180 lakh bales, thus the total domestic consumption reached 194 lakh bales. The carry forward stock of cotton for the current year is 72 lakh bales, according to CCI.

Cotton harvest started in Punjab in October first week. But in other states harvest was delayed by 15 days to one month because of the the rains. Despite the unseasonal rains, Maharashtra hopes an increase in the production.

India has the largest area under cotton representing about 25 per cent of the global cotton area. Last year the sowing area was 89.20 lakh hectare and this year it is slightly more.

But the non-seasonal climatic changes spoiled the crop and washed off the hopes of farmers. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat are among the worst affected states during the season this year.

In 2004- 05, Gujarat was the largest producer accounting 73 lakh bales in their credit, followed by Maharashtra (52 lakh bales) and Andhra Pradesh (32.5 lakh bales). Gujarat has recorded 651 kg yield per hectare this year.

North Indian states including Punjab, Haryana and Rajastan have produced 43 lakh bales, compared to 31 lakh bales in 2003-04. The average yield per hectare was 463 kg during 2004-05 as against 399 kg in 2003- 04.

Due to the farming of hybrid variety seeds and better crop condition, the production has surged to the record, said Cotton Corporation official. The cotton cultivation had gone up 18 per cent in 2004-05 compared with the previous year.