Gujarat cotton farmers eye China for exports

The cotton farmers in Gujarat have sought the support of the state and central governments for exports to China.

It may be mentioned here the state is likely to produce about 75 lakh bales of cotton by the end of the season from 19 lakh hectare under its cultivation compared with about 45 lakh bales in 16.28 lakh hectare in the previous year.

The state has witnessed rapid growth in cotton production in the last couple of years. Its production was 11.61 bales in 16.154 lakh hectare during 2000-01. Experts are of the opinion that the state is witnessing a second white revolution following the dairy sector and it is time for the government to find out a way to sell the surplus stock.

Farmers and opinion leaders in the sector want the state to expedite exports to China so that traders can push more stocks.

"Cotton production in the last two years 2003-04 and 2004-05 has shown a quantum jump in production and productivity, which is likely to be continued during 2005-06 too. Cotton production during the next season is likely to be 90 lakh bales in 20 lakh hectare. As per a Beijing report, China will witness a gap of about 1.5 crore bales in cotton production and consumption during this year," said Sanat Mehta, former deputy chairman of the Planning Commission and former finance minister of Gujarat.

According to Mehta, China's big capacity in textile industry is a great opportunity for Indian farmers.

In the coming WTO negotiations, it should be seen that huge subsidy given by the US and European Union to their farmers on cotton is reduced and level playing is provided to cotton farmers of developing countries, particularly India, added Mehta who recently approached the state government with his suggestion.

However, it was learnt from the state agriculture department the state is not taking any proactive step in this direction. The state government intends to go ahead with the usual process where traders are dealing on their own.