Cotton

Cotton is known to have originated from the Indian sub-continent. It was proved from the available evidence (from the relics of Mohanjo-daro civilization) that India was the original habitat for the old world cotton. However, in the present day world, four major cultivated species of cotton including Gossypium arboreum L., G. herbaceum L., G. hirsutum L. and G. barbadense L. are grown in the world as well as in India.

 

Cotton is one of the most important commercial crops and a chief fiber crop that provides raw material for textile industry. Though, a large number of countries produce cotton, only seven countries contribute for about 80% of total world cotton production. India has occupied the first place in terms of area cultivated under cotton, but could not achieve the same in terms of production owing to low productivity levels.

 

Nevertheless, with a sharp increase in yields since the mid 2000s, India outpaced the U.S. and reached the second position in the top producers’ list only next to China. Further, India has been in the second position in terms of consumption and demand has been growing consistently with rising population. More importantly, India has become the top big exporter of cotton after the U.S. since 2005-06.

 

 

Cotton is cultivated primarily for lint while seed and its by-products have also gained commercial importance in recent times. 

 

Meal and Hull: 35-40%

 

 

 

Cotton is a tropical and subtropical crop, comes up well up to 500m mean sea level and a short cool season before harvest is useful for high yields. Cotton requires four to five months of uniformly high temperature during its growth period. Optimum temperature for vegetative growth ranges from 21^o to 28^o C while relatively higher day temperature of 27^o to 32^oC and cool night favors flowering and boll formation. However, with sufficient soil moisture, the crop can withstand up to 45^o C but for shorter periods. A minimum of 500 mm of well distributed rainfall is essential, particularly in the initial stages of growth. Sunny days are important at all stages of growth, particularly during flowering and maturity stages.

 

Although sowing season varies widely across the regions, majority of sowing falls between March and July in India as well as other major producing countries except for China and Brazil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In India, sowing under irrigated conditions take place between March and May, while it spreads between June and July under rainfed conditions, particularly in southern parts. Harvesting accordingly falls between September to April. Majority of cotton cultivated in the country is under rainfed conditions (65%) and only about 35% has irrigation facilities. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unlike production, consumption is sluggish during the past three years and trade is estimated to decline by about 15% on account of a record trade in the previous year as well as a significant growth in output of major producing countries in the current year (2013-14).

 

 

Table 2: Top Five Countries With Respect To Production, Consumption And Trade

 

 

  

 

 

Cotton production in India has increased steadily from the mid 1980s to 1990s but thereafter, it has declined marginally on account of stagnation in yields and fluctuations in cultivated areas. However, cotton yield has shown a remarkable increase in the late 2000s. Cotton production in the country is estimated to be at around 365 lakh bales in 2015-16, about 3.9% lesser than that in the previous year, as per the latest estimates published by the Textile Ministry, estimated by Cotton Advisory Board (CAB).

 

 

Sources: Textile Ministry, estimated by Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) 

 

Cotton production increased steadily and rather steeply from 2004-05 onwards and doubled during the past decade from about 179 lakh bales in 2003-04 to about 398 lakh bales in 2013-14 primarily due to a sharp rise in yield. Incidentally, the period of sharp rise in yield was coincided with the introduction of genetically modified Bt-cotton. Nevertheless, the yields have started moderating from 2008-09 onwards and stabilized at around 500kg/ha.

 

 

Table 3: Balance Sheet Of Cotton In India (Lakh Bales Of 170kg Each)

	Production	Production	Imports	Consumption	Exports	Stocks
	By GoI	By CAB
2010-11	330	339	2	260	77	46
2011-12	352	353	8	251	130	40
2012-13	342	365	15	283	101	40
2013-14	359	398	12	299	117	33
2014-15	355	380	14	317	58	52
2015-16P	335	365	12	323	68	38

 

 

Major export destinations: China, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Vietnam

 

Major import sources: Egypt, U.S., Pakistan and African countries.