The Hindu Business Line : Cotton board pegs output at 310 lakh bales

Mumbai, Jan 11 Cotton production in the country is expected to be 11 per cent higher at 310 lakh bales (of 170 kg) in current 2007-08 (October-September) against 280 lakh bales (lb) last year, according to the Cotton Advisory Board.

Except for production in Punjab, which is expected to be lower by eight per cent at 24 lb (26 lb), all other states may post higher production than last year.

“Cotton crop in Punjab has been hit by mealy pet. This has hit production drastically,” said Mr J.N. Singh, Textile Commissioner.

Production in Gujarat may go up 9 per cent to 110 lb (101 lb), Maharashtra 60 lb (52 lb), Madhya Pradesh 21 lb (18 lb), Andhra Pradesh 43 lb (35 lb), Haryana 16 lb (16 lb), Rajasthan 9 lb (8 lb), Karnataka 8 lb (6 lb) and Tamil Nadu 5 lb (5 lb).

Area under cotton cultivation in Gujarat has gone up 5.27 per cent to 25.16 lakh hectares, Maharashtra 32 lh (30.70 lh), Madhya Pradesh 6.62 lh (6.39 lh), Punjab 6.48 lh (6.07 lh), Haryana 4.78 lh (5.30 lh), Rajasthan 3.68 lh (3.50 lh), Andhra Pradesh 10.95 lh (9.72 lh), Karnataka 3.71 lh (3.75 lh) and Tamil Nadu 1.23 lh (1.22 lh).

Yield per hectare in Gujarat was the highest at 743 kg per hectare (kph) (718 kph), Maharashtra 320 kph (288 kph), Madhya Pradesh 539 kph (478 kph), Punjab 629 kph (728 kph), Haryana 569 kph (513 kph), Rajasthan 415 kph (388 kph). In the southern states yield per hectare rose 12.55 per cent to 599 (532).

Denying plans to ban exports to control domestic prices, Mr Singh said: “We were not even considering such a move and I’m not sure from were these rumours are emanating from”.

Consumption

Sustained global economic growth will continue to lift the world textile industry in 2007-08. However, projected increases in cotton prices are expected to slow the growth in world cotton mill use to 3 per cent, down from 6 per cent in 2006-07.