The higher than expected returns in the ongoing cotton season, may prompt farmers in the major cotton growing belt of North India like Punjab and Haryana to increase cotton acreage, according to a high ranking official of a textile major.
According to Mr IJ Dhuria, Corporate General Manager of Vardhman Textiles Ltd., "Area under cotton cultivation in Punjab and Haryana is expected to surge by 10-15 percent in the next cotton season.
“This is so since, farmers will get 20 percent higher prices than in the current year. The governments of Punjab and Haryana are encouraging farmers to cultivate cotton and not paddy, due to shortage of water”, he concluded by saying.
Cotton acreage in Punjab and Haryana touched 490,000 and 519,000 hectares in the current season and the production is expected to reach 2.5 million bales and 2.27 million bales, respectively. (One bale = 356 kg)
Both the states have maintained prices of Bt cotton seeds sold by private firms at last years level, to boost area under cotton sowing. Bt-1 and Bt-2 seeds would be available at Rs 750 per packet and Rs 925 per packet.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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