Bad condition of cotton in Punjab, crop sales 25 percent less than last year
According to ICAL, the collective production of cotton in the three states of North India is estimated at 42.09 lakh bales as compared to 48.37 lakh bales in the previous year.
In a major setback to the Punjab government's efforts to diversify farmers, cotton production in the state is estimated to be at its lowest in years this year. As of March 9, the state's arrival stood at 28.89 lakh quintals, against last year's arrival of only 7 lakh quintals, according to data from the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board. According to the sales of the cotton crop recorded by PSAMB, it is less than a quarter as of March 9 compared to the previous year.
effect of pest attack
Besides PSAMB, the revised estimates by cotton trade body Indian Cotton Association Limited (ICAL) about the arrival of the crop in the state mandis are also highly dismal. The revised estimates put the arrival of the crop at around 2.50 lakh bales (1 bale = 170 kg) as against last year's arrival of 7.20 lakh bales. Frequent pest attack in the last two years is said to be behind the very low production of the crop. In the current season, apart from pest attack, non-availability of canal water initially in the sowing season and then incessant rains are said to be the reasons for the poor performance of the crop. It is being said that looking at the production trends, farmers have lost confidence in the crop and thus, not much change in crop area is expected in the upcoming sowing season.
Cotton production less in North India
However, the crop is still fetching Rs 8,000 per quintal against the MSP of Rs 6,280 per quintal for the 27.5-28.5 mm long staple. Like Punjab, production in neighboring Haryana is also low and according to ICAL's revised estimates, arrivals in mandis are estimated at 1.2 million bales from 1.5 million bales last year. However, cotton production in Rajasthan is expected to increase to 27.60 lakh bales from last year's 26.12 lakh bales. According to ICAL, the collective production of cotton in the three states of North India is estimated at 42.09 lakh bales as compared to 48.37 lakh bales in the previous year.
very little input
Punjab's cotton coordinator Rajneesh Goyal said, "The arrival of cotton is very less as compared to last year. As per the trends, the total arrivals in the mandis have been much less as compared to previous years. As per the arrivals recorded by ICAL till February 28, Punjab has received 1.69 lakh bales, while Haryana has recorded 6.86 lakh bales and Rajasthan 22.53 lakh bales. Till February 28, a total of 31.08 lakh bales have arrived in the three states.
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