Cotton acreage this kharif has touched a new high with the fibre crop gaining area from crops such as soyabean and corn in key growing States of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Area under cotton has risen to a record 12.25 million hectares, an increase of 12 per cent over last year’s 11.16 million ha and is poised to touch 12.5 million ha with plantings still on in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
“Cotton acreage this year is at a new record. The sowing is still on in Andhra and Tamil Nadu and the overall acreage could increase by two to three lakh ha more,” said KR Kranthi, Director at the Nagpur-based Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR). Previously, the cotton acreage had touched a high of 12.19 million ha in 2011.
Kranthi mainly attributed the increase in cotton acreage this year mainly to the high cost of soyabean seeds and the impact of delayed monsoon on its plantings that prompted the farmers to switch over to the fibre crop. The switchover to the fibre crop by farmers has boosted cottonseed sales, bringing cheers to the hybrid seed industry.
M Prabhakara Rao, Chairman National Seed Association of India and CMD of Hyderabad-based Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd estimates a 10-12 per cent growth in seed sales at around 47 million packets (each 450 gram) this year. However, the seed sales of other crops such as corn and rice were a bit subdued. “The delay in monsoon prompted farmers to switch over to cotton, which is more resilient to drought,” Rao said.
M Ramasami, Chairman and Managing Director of Rasi Seeds, expects growth at 20-25 per cent to around 38 lakh packets this year. He expects the acreage in Tamil Nadu to increase by 20-25 per cent as sowing would go on till mid-September.
Increase in acreage would mean a higher crop, this year too. However, experts say its too early to comment on the crop size. “Rains in September and October are crucial for the crop. A clearer picture on the crop size would emerge by October-end,” said MB Lal of Shail Exports.
In 2013-14, cotton output stood at a record 395 lakh bales of 170 kg each according to the Cotton Association of India. Another high crop this year would keep the prices under pressure, experts said.