*Interview of Sanchit Rajpal, ED of Manjit Cotton, on CNBC Awaaz*
*Reduction in cotton sowing*
* Cotton sowing in 2024-25: 112.13 lakh hectares
* Estimated in 2025-26: 109.17 lakh hectares
That is, there has been a decline of about 3% in sowing.
*India's situation and yield*
Today, about 50 countries of the world grow cotton.
* India is number 1 in area, but in terms of productivity (yield) we come at 35th place.
* The average production in India is 600 kg / hectare, whereas in China, Brazil and America it has reached 2500–2800 kg / hectare.
The main reason for this is that till now only 3-4 generations of BT seeds are being used in India, whereas the world has reached 6-7 generations today.
Therefore, it is very important to bring new seeds and technology to increase production. This will not only increase productivity, but farmers will also be attracted towards cotton cultivation.
*Impact on global market and export*
* Cotton prices have been under pressure for the last few years.
* Global demand remained weak and the situation worsened due to tariff war.
* India once used to export up to 20% of its production, but today the situation has changed and it has started depending on imports.
*Impact of prices and MSP*
* MSP (minimum support price) in India is a support for farmers, but it affects the industry.
* Due to high MSP, the industry has to buy expensive cotton, whereas cotton is available cheaper in the international market.
* This is the reason why textile exports slowed down and countries like Bangladesh got a competitive edge.
*Cotton vs Man-made fiber*
* Tensil, bamboo and other man-made fibers are now rapidly emerging as alternatives in the market.
* Man-made fibers are more consistent than cotton.
* Still, the global trend is towards sustainability and hence cotton is expected to remain important.
*Forward Outlook*
* Given the current conditions—such as tariffs, mill conditions and global demand—cotton prices are likely to remain under pressure in the near future.
read more :- INR drop 11 Paise, Closes at 88.11 per Dollar
