Revival of monsoon in southern states of the country is all set to benefit the cotton acreage. Recent rainfall in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as well as some parts of Maharashtra is going to improve cotton acreage, which, according to traders, will surge this year.
“In the wake of deficient rain, cotton sowing scenario was grim, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. However, arrival of rain in these two states along with some parts of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra will certainly lead to improvement in cotton acreage of these states”, said Arun Dalal, a leading cotton trader based in Ahmedabad.
“Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district, which is one of the leading cotton growing regions in the state, received first rain of the season couple of days back. Similarly, Karnataka’s Raichur district, which alone produces 400,000 bales of cotton, has also got ample rain. Rain in southern states of the country and some parts of Maharashtra has improved the situation for cotton “, added Kishor Shah of Central Gujarat Cotton Dealers Association.
As per the data available with the traders, cotton acreage in Maharashtra is likely has surge to 33.30 lakh hectares as against 31.5 lakh hectares in 2008-09. Similarly, Karnataka cotton acreage was at 4 lakh hectares last financial year, which is likely to rise to 4.75 lakh hectares.
Before the revival of monsoon, cotton acreage in Andhra Pradesh was 9.50 lakh hectares, which has now increased to 10.75 lakh hectares as on date. However, it will be quite lower as compared to 13.80 lakh hectares. “Gujarat and Punjab have seen substantial rise in acreage this year. Overall, cotton acreage in India is likely to increase up to 98 to 99 lakh hectares as against 93.75 lakh hectares” stated Arun Dalal.
Recently, CCI also raised the production estimates to 3.10 crore bales in 2009-10.
However, there is an urgent need for rain in Gujarat, lower Haryana and Punjab. “Though cotton acreage is poised to grow this year, the productivity of cotton is likely to be lower this year. The cotton output may hover around the same level as that of last year”, said J N Singh, joint secretary, ministry of textile, government of India. Meanwhile, traders today informed that new cotton arrivals in Punjab have started.
