Cotton sowing in the country rose by 5% to 116.91 lakh hectares as on Aug 13 from 110.93 lakh hectares during the same period last year, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Agriculture, GoI. Thus, cotton area in the country has almost reached the last season’s level of 117.27 lakh hectares.

Cotton sowing in central and south India is still carried out due to delayed monsoon and re-sowing in some regions. But it at the last stage and likely to be get completed by the next week-end.

The industry experts are expecting acreage to rise by at least 10% as farmers in many states have shifted from oilseed to cotton due to weak and delayed monsoon. Cotton is considered as less water intensive crop compared to oilseed. Also the farmers have fetched good return for their produce (cotton) during the last season.

 

Table 1: Sowing Progress of Cotton as on August 13, 2014 (lakh hectares)

 

Crop conditions are reported excellent in Punjab and Haryana due to favorable weather and good irrigation facility. The plants have grown around 3-4 feet height and bolls are at maturing stage in some regions.

Meanwhile, cotton crop with irrigation facility is growing well in Central India, the largest producer cotton belt (Gujarat-Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra), but the condition is not good in rain fed regions due to poor rainfall. Rainfall is required in next one or two weeks, otherwise the crop could be affected to certain extent.

Similarly, the crop condition in many cotton belts of south India is not so good and rainfall is needed immediately. Lack of water in canals has also affected the crop. Also, power cut in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana areas has created additional problem to the farmers.

The industry experts in recently conducted cotton seminar in Coimbatore are optimistic about production and expects output to cross 4 crore bales (170kg each).

However, the ground report is slightly different as deficient rainfall in many states of the country could affect the crop badly. Nevertheless, if there is a sufficient rainfall in the next two weeks then the output expectations may go up.