The Hindu Business Line : Cotton acreage in Gujarat hit by villi bug

Ahmedabad, Sept 24 The total cotton sowing area in Gujarat this year has taken a beating due to the attack of the villi bug in many parts, say industry sources. Though the industry and traders are unanimous that production of cotton will exceed that of last year, there is a feeling that it might just fall short of the expected target. From 16 lakh hectares in 2003-04, the area increased to 25 lakh hectares last year. This year, till July, cotton was sown in 21.85 lakh hectares.

“In parts of Gujarat where the villi bug attack took place, farmers immediately shifted to production of groundnut. So, though groundnut has benefited, cotton has been damaged and there is a possibility that its production will decline by 8-10 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) this season,” said Mr Govindlal G. Patel, Managing Partner, Dipak Enterprises. He added that erratic or untimely rains can be held responsible for damage to five to seven per cent of the crop.

Mr B.V. Mehta, Executive Director, SEAI, said the recent rains of last week changed the situation. “What could have led to a shortfall in cotton has been turned around by the rains last week. It is estimated that this year Gujarat will produce around 120 lakh bales as compared to 92 lakh bales of last fiscal,” he said.

CONTROLLING EXPORTS

According to Mr D.K. Nair, Secretary-General of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry, cotton production will be same as or better than last year.

“The delayed monsoons created apprehensions in the beginning throughout the country, but there should not be any substantial loss. The hike in minimum support price is a cause for concern. It will lead to a substantial increase in cotton prices at the middle-man level.” He said this might lead to closure, increase in import or shift to man-made fibre and should be corrected by controlling the exports. A proposal has been made to the Government regarding the same, he added.

Gujarat contributes around 35 per cent of the total cotton output of the country and is only second to Maharashtra in total sowing area. According to official estimates, 60 per cent of the cotton sowing area in the State is rain-fed, while 40 per cent is under hybrid seeds.

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