Madhya Pradesh: Cotton Update for Kharif 2014-15

20 October 2014 02:58 PM

Madhya Pradesh: Cotton Acreage Rises in Chhindwara

Aug 18, 2014

Farmers in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh have shown preference for cotton and maize cultivation in the current season. Cotton has been sown in 40,300 hectares till Aug 12 in the district against the target of 30,400 hectares. The farmers have sown various kharif crops in 432,900 hectares as reported on Aug 12 against the target of 497,200 hectares for the season. Sowing of cotton and maize crossed the target.

Maize was sown in 180,800 hectares against the target of 149,000 hectares. Sowings of Urad, Tur, groundnut and soyabean are lagging behind. Soyabean was sown in 100,700 hectares against the target of 155,000 hectares.

Rain is deficient in the district. Only 540.6 mm rain was received till Aug 12 against 1562.4 mm received in the same period of last year.

Cotton is grown in Sounsar and Padhurna blocks of the district. Cotton crop is better in Sounsar block while the crop is not in ideal condition in Padhurna block. The crop needs rains in next 8 days otherwise it would come under stress.

As per district level report of joint director (agriculture), around 887.92 quintals of BT cotton seed were sold in the district. Kribhco contributed 37.92 quintals seed and remaining 725 quintals were sold by private companies. Normally, demand for BT cotton is at around 725 quintals.

Mr. Narendra Bodkhe of K. Sons fertilizers, Sounsar said that 1.5 lakh packets of cotton seeds estimated to be sold for fresh and resowing against 1.10 lakh packets sold in the last year.

The farmers of Chhindwara prefer seeds of JK, Cauvery, mahyco and Monsanto. The cost of cotton growing is estimated to be around Rs. 15,000 per acre. In addition, picking of cotton bolls costs around Rs. 5 to 7 per kg.

Only 10-20% of farmers enjoy irrigation facilities and farming is mostly dependant on rains. But there are no rains since Jul 21.

The farmers of Sounsar get water from canal, but their counter part of Padhurna are fully dependant on rain. Water level in the district also depleted to 70-80 feet. The cotton grown in the district is supplied to ginning factories. Little amount of the crops is being sold in Sounsar market yard.

Mr. G. P. Singh, an official of JK Seeds said that the farmers of Chhindwara are lacking education and awareness, so most of them are poor. They are facing difficulties in using modern practices and techniques to inhance productivity and find alternative means of irrigation.

A farmer of Devi village Mr. Balaji Shende told that he has sown cotton in 10 acres of his land but the weather is not supportive. He has sown his crop towards the end of June to July. The plant of June sowing reached up to a foot but the later planted crop could develop up to half foot only. The growth stagnated due to lack of rain. Rain is needed in the next 10-12 days. He told that cotton yield in irrigated land is about 6-7 quintal per acres and 4-5 quintal for non-irrigated land.

Another of Sitapur village Mr. Om Prakash Dunde indicated that rain in next 8 days would be beneficial for the crop. He has sown cotton in his 10 acres of land in the last week of Jun. But it could grow upto one and half feet only.

Mr. Prital Dawle of Ramkona village told that the growers in village sown cotton in about 40% of land in May. But the plants were damaged from heavy rains. Now the re-sown crop is stunted for the want of rain.

A farmer of Badosa village Mr. Rajesh Savadatkar said that he has sown cotton in 7 acres. The crop growth is affected as there was no rain for longer period. The plant size is about 1 to 2 feet. He told that cotton yield in irrigated land is about 10-12 quintal per acre and 5.7 quintal in non-irrigated land.

Mr. B. N. Nimge told that average yield in the district is aout 5-8 quintal per acre. The crop needs rain immediately. Around 25-30% of cotton crop was estimated to be resown. The progress of crop affected because there was no rain and it’s the cause of concern. Mr. Satish Patil, Alkesh Patil of Khapa village and Vitthal Rao Bhakte of Khairi village also worried about poor monsoons.

Mr. Rajesh Rathi, Partner of Sounsar based ginning and pressing factory, Shri Gayatri Industries opined that cotton prices may witness pressure due to weak demand from China and may touch a low of Rs. 37,000-38,000 per candy at the time of new arrivals. But there is no carry over stock of cotton in his region.