Cotton output in Punjab at an all-time high

Cotton production might break all records this season in Punjab, say experts, putting this on account of the release of Bt cotton and increase in the cultivation area.

In 2004-05, the per acre yield of cotton has also shattered the previous best of 5.84 quintals recorded in 1991-92, by registering an output of 6.97 quintals of lint cotton.

The highest production of 24.69 lakh cotton bales was recorded during 1991-92, when 7.19 lakh hectares were covered, sources revealed.

The experts say that with the release of Bt cotton in Punjab this year, record production can be expected even if the area covered is less than in fiscal 1991-92.

However, the Punjab Agriculture Department has set a conservative production target of 19.42 lakh bales covering about six lakh hectares, but as per the field officers, reports, about 5.70 lakh hectares are already covered under cotton in Punjab, which can further increase.

According to official sources, the production of cotton in the state during previous crop season registered 20.87 lakh bales covering 5.09 lakh hectares against 14.78 lakh bales covering 4.49 lakh hectares in 2003-04.

However, last year the department has estimated a production of 17.50 lakh bales covering 5.09 lakh hectares in previous crop season. As per the experts, per acre yield any increase further during this crop season because of the release of Bt cotton in the state.

They opined that considering various factors like weather swings, the agriculture department tends to keep their production targets little less than expected.

B S Sidhu, director, agriculture department, when contacted, said "Only the area covered is not a good enough reason for good production. There are many factors, which affect the net output. In 1982-83, about 7.24 lakh hectares were covered under cotton in Punjab but production remained 12.18 lakh bales".

He said "We set our targets keeping in mind many factors including weather mood swings, deseases and farmers interest and input. Therefore, our target for this crop season is 19.42 lakh bales production covering six lakh hectares. Official reports indicate that cotton is sown on about 5.7 lakh hectares in Punjab, he added.

We would revise our estimate within a week to make the picture more clear," he added.