The government has said there is no shortage of cotton seed in Maharashtra or anywhere in the country.
“The overall availability of cotton seed at 235,000 quintals in the country is very comfortable against the demand of 187,000 quintals projected by the states for the Kharif season. Similarly, no shortage of seed has been reported by Maharashtra with availability of more than 85,000 quintals on requirement of 71,000 quintals,” the agriculture ministry said in a statement.
“It has come to the government’s notice that there is concern in some parts of Maharashtra, particularly Jalgaon, about availability of seed, especially of Bt cotton. The position has been reviewed by the Central government in consultation with Maharashtra government,” it said.
The government has been closely monitoring the requirement and availability of seed for the ensuing agricultural season with the states, the release said.
The Kharif position has been reviewed intensively in the zonal conference in February 2009, the national conference on Kharif held on March 21-22 and through a video conference with major agricultural states under chairpersonship of the Cabinet Secretary on April 1, it said.
Localised shortage of seed in a particular company can be easily met by other varieties and hybrids which are available in sufficient quantity, the release said.
The company has also been contacted by the government and it has indicated that seed has been supplied to Jalgaon, Dhule and Buldana and further supplies are under movement, it said. India’s cotton production is expected to fall in 2009-10. The industry expects a decline in the cotton acreage in 2009-10 due to a drop in the export demand from China.