Textile mills plan to start contract farming in Vidarbha

The cotton production in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra is set to get a boost as textile mills are planning to start contract farming in the area.

"A lot of mills have approached us to set up farms in the region. They are identifying areas and tying up with farmers of the region. The whole picture will emerge in the next cotton season," said Sudripto Roy, joint secretary, ministry of textiles.

Maharashtra's cotton production last year (2005-06) stood at 36 lakh bales with an average yield of 211.84 kg a hectare much less than that of Gujarat (728.45 kg a hectare).

If the contract farming proves to be a success, the country will reach the world average yield (720 kg a hectare), Roy said.

"If we have the largest area under cotton production and the average yield is equivalent to world average, it will automatically take the country to the top position in cotton production," he added.

Government has estimated that by the end of the next five year plan, country's textile sector's total spindle capacity will reach 55 million from the present 29 million. China's total present spindle capacity is 90 million.

"With added spindle capacity, capacities in other divisions in textile sector will have to be increased," Roy said.