Maharashtra: Desi Cotton Seeds Shortage: Desi, Sidhi Cotton Varieties in Shortage in State
Jalgaon : While the issue of Bt cotton technology becoming obsolete in Bollgard 2 is a matter of concern among farmers in the state, there is a demand for Desi or Sidhi cotton varieties. But there is a shortage of Desi Sidhi cotton varieties in the state.
There is a demand for these varieties in Vidarbha, Marathwada and Khandesh. In these areas, Desi or Sidhi cotton varieties are sold in some cotton research centres and universities. But there is no response from the farmers. Farmers want Sidhi or Desi cotton varieties produced by some companies.
But since the concerned companies cannot afford to sell cotton seeds at a certain price in the state, the concerned companies are officially selling these seeds in other parts, i.e. Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab etc. There, Sidhi or Desi cotton varieties of these companies are getting a price of Rs 1200 to Rs 1500 per packet (capacity of one packet is 475 grams).
A domestic cotton variety producing company had proposed to the state government or the agriculture department that its Sidhi or Desi cotton varieties should be sold in the state at a price of Rs 1,400 per packet. But senior officials of the agriculture department rejected this proposal.
Since the sale of BT cotton seeds in Bollgard 2 in the state has been fixed at Rs 901 per packet, the domestic or Desi cotton varieties of the concerned company cannot be sold at a higher price than this, it was said. Due to this, a situation is being created that the supply and sale of Sidhi varieties of some companies is not being done in the state.
The agriculture departments of Jalgaon district corresponded with another Sidhi or Desi cotton variety producing company regarding the supply of seeds. But the concerned company showed its inability to supply the seeds.
Farmers of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat
Many farmers of Khandesh are going to Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat for this because Desi Sidhi cotton varieties are not available in the local market. From there they are bringing Desi and Sidhi cotton varieties at a price of Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per packet. Profiteering, illegal cotton seed suppliers are taking advantage of this and Desi, Sidhi cotton varieties are being imported illegally from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
The state needs 20 to 22 lakh packets. Desi or Sidhi cotton varieties are expected to be planted in at least seven to eight lakh hectares in the state. If Desi or Sidhi cotton varieties become available officially, this area may increase further. Because many farmers are avoiding planting Bollgard 2 type of BT cotton varieties due to pink bollworm, low production and increasing cost. The state needs at least 20 to 22 lakh Desi or Sidhi cotton varieties. Agricultural universities and cotton research centers cannot meet this need. On the other hand, since the high-demand Desi, Sidhi varieties are not available in the state market, black marketing is going on.
We tried to make Desi, Sidhi cotton varieties available in Jalgaon district. We corresponded with producers and suppliers of some indigenous, straight cotton varieties. One company has expressed its inability to supply the varieties. But illegal trade and black marketing system is the main point of this.
