Cotton production up five times in four years

Gujarat has witnessed a significant surge in the productivity of cotton farming in the last four years, according to the figures published by the state agriculture department. The productivity of the land under cotton crop has increased about five fold in the last four years.

The state had produced 4.95 quintals of cotton per hectare in 2001-02 that has increased to 13.92 quintals per hectare in 2004-05.

However, the trade value of cotton produces has been unstable during the period under observation.

Industry observers agree that there has been a sizable increase in the yield per hectare of cotton, but state that the figures provided by the state government appear to be exaggerated.

Experts say that newer varieties of seeds, availability of irrigation water under the Narmada project and other factors too have played a role in this increase.

S K Suri, branch head, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), said, "The state has achieved significant growth of productivity in the farming of cotton in the last few years. The productivity has increased due to the new varieties of seeds and larger area under irrigation due to the Narmada Irrigation Project. Meanwhile, the Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC) undertaken by the government of India has also played a vital role in enhancing the productivity."

"The new technology deployed by farmers and hard work are also responsible for the growth in the agriculture," added Suri.

The reason behind the surge of productivity in cotton farming is believed to be the use of genetically modified seeds.

In April 2002, Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, the monitoring agency for use of GM seeds, had approved the commercial cultivation of BT cotton in six states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.