Telangana: Cotton Update for Kharif 2014-15

20 October 2014 03:30 PM

Cotton Area Down by 2 Lakh Hectares in Telangana

Sep 8, 2014

Farmers in newly created Telangana state, similar to that of AP, are forced to hold cotton sowing as there is lack of water for irrigation due to poor rains till now. Pace of sowing is slow in Telangana as well as in Andhra Pradesh.

As per the market estimates, cotton area could reached at 13.45 lakh hectare in Telangana till now compared to 15.45 lakh hectare of corresponding period of previous year. The area is lagging behind by 2 lakh hectares in the current season.

As per the latest estimates released by the government of Telangana, cotton acreage witnessed about 6.2% fall to 14.49 lakh hectares as on Aug 6 from 15.45 lakh hectares in the corresponding period of last year.

On the contrary, the acreage estimates by the department of agriculture, government of Telangana indicated about 7% increase to 2.29 lakh hectares from 2.15 lakh hectares in the same period of previous year.

The farmers in the state said cotton sowing can completed if rain comes within one week, otherwise they would have to shift to maize or other crops.

Warangal District Cotton Millers and Traders Welfare Association’s president Mr. Chintapalli Vira Rao said that cotton was sown in 6 lakh acres (2.5 lakh hectares) till Jul 15 in Warangal district which was 5% lower than that in the last year same period.

Nevertheless, crop is in good condition. Now the cotton plants need sunny atmosphere. Cotton production is estimated at last year’s level. But the crop would need rain in next 15 days. The plants have grown up to 1-1.5 feet and there was no complaint of pests.

Mr. Kishan, a farmer of Singrajpalli village of Warangal district said that cotton sowing area touched last year’s figure and the crop is in good condition. But the crop would need water in next 10-15 days.

On the other hand, Ashalapalli’s farmer Mr. N. ramesh said that farmers in his village have divided their field equally for cotton and maize. The crops were better and bigger last year due to good rains but this year, the growth of the plants is stunted due to lack of sufficient water.

Another farmer of Vangapad village in the same district indicated that the rising costs and falling yields are discouraging the farmers to go for cotton cultivation. The yields of cotton are falling due to continuous cultivation of cotton and hence they are trying to alternate with other crops like maize.

Mr. Rajaiah of Katarpalli village in Warangal district said that the sowing of cotton took place in Jun with the help of the bore well irrigation. Cotton crop is now about 45-50 days old and is reaching flowering stage.

Mr. Srinivas Lahoti of Pawan Seeds and Pesticides, Warangal said that sale of cotton seed is slow due to deficiency of rain and higher cost of cotton cultivation. Farmers are shifting to maize and chilli. Further, a few farmers have shifted to soyabean cultivation also. Paddy sowing is also slow due to scarcity of rain.

Another seed seller Mr. Srinivas of Padmavati Seeds and Pesticides told that sale of cotton seed is slow. Farmers prefer seeds of Cauvery Seeds and Mayhico Company. According to him, sale of pesticides is also slow due to less acreage and late sowing. Sale of pesticides normally picks up in July-September but there are no signs even after one and half months.

Cotton arrivals in Warangal, main mandi of Telangana, still persists at about 6,000 bags (each bag 50 kg) of cotton per day on average.

Thus, cotton acreage in Warangal district as well as in Telangana is moderated in the current season so far compared to that in the previous year in the same period on account of rising costs, scarce rainfall and low yields compared to other crops.