Possibility of pressure on cotton prices, despite decline in area and productivity
By DHEERAJ GUPTA 2024-08-24 12:22:55
Pressure on cotton prices could exist even while production and area are declining.
Nagpur: Due to continuous rains, the area under cultivation is decreasing and the increasing incidence of pests and diseases is likely to lead to a decline in the productivity of cotton. Despite this, senior agricultural expert Vijay Javandiha says that there is pressure on the prices of cotton in the US market, due to which the prices of cotton in the Indian market are also expected to remain around Rs 6,500 per quintal.
According to Javandiha, currently the price of 'Outlook-A' in the US cotton market is 78.60 cents per pound of cotton (2.2 pounds = 1 kg). About 35 kg of cotton and 64 kg of sardki are obtained from one quintal of cotton. If 79 cents per pound of cotton and Rs 30 per kg of sardki are calculated, then the price of 35 kg of cotton is Rs 5,110 and the price of 64 kg of sardki is Rs 1,920.
Thus, the total income of cotton and sarkki is Rs 7,030, from which Rs 6,500 remains after deducting the processing cost of Rs 500. Therefore, cotton prices are likely to remain in the range of Rs 6,500. However, the central government has announced a guaranteed price of Rs 7,500 per quintal for cotton for this season.
Given the slowdown in the global market, farmers may get Rs 1,000 less than the guaranteed price, which will require the government to buy cotton at the guaranteed price. Javandhiya has also raised the question that in such a situation, how can the target of doubling the income of farmers be achieved.
