Cotton yield may surpass 20 lakh quintals

The yield of cotton, including BT varieties, is likely to surpass 20 lakh quintals in Warangal district during the current season. This would mark an increase of 4.5 lakh quintals over the previous year.

If the forecast proves right, it would fetch as much as Rs 300 crore this year and if the present average cost of Rs 1,945 per quintal prevails till the end of the present season, cotton farmers in the district would reap rich dividends for cultivating the crop.

Statistics provided by the agriculture market committee (AMC) of Warangal reveal that a total of 9,37,613 quintals of cotton has arrived in the market till January 30 this year. While the Cotton Corporation of India purchased 3,990 quintals, the remaining 9,33,623 quintals of cotton was purchased by private traders.

The market authorities, basing on daily arrival of produce and the extent of coverage in the district, have chalked out an action plan for the year.

They expect cotton produce and arrivals in the market to touch the 21,40,992-quintal mark during the current year. The cost index till January 30 touched Rs 1,945 per quintal and the authorities anticipated an increase by Rs 100 by the end of the season.

According to chairman of AMC Warangal, T Ramesh Babu, the market has assured remunerative prices to cotton farmers during the current season. He said the authorities were finding every possible ways to give the maximum average price, ie, Rs 2,430 per quintal, which the market had offered during 2003-2004.

"During the past one decade, cotton arrivals in the market here have seen many ups and downs but the value of the produce has touched the peaks with the introduction of new varieties," he observed. The situation has been positive since 2002-2003 with cotton yield increasing every year.

However, the price index has witnessed highs and lows during the same period. The average price achieved in 2002-2003 was Rs 2,318 per quintal, while in 2003-2004, it touched a high of Rs 2,430 per quintal followed by a dip to Rs 1,848 in 2004-2005. The price rallied a bit and is at Rs 1,945 per quintal now.