This year, annual cotton output statistics displays a rosy picture for the country. It is projecting a 30 percent growth over last year.
This year a mark yield of 270 lakh bales has placed India to the second position after China and ahead of US.
The western states like Vidharbha and Marathwada have contributed significantly to the total output of the cotton yield.
Around 45 lakh is anticipated to come from Maharashtra and another 100 lakh bales from Gujarat.
The 9 million acres under Bt cotton which fight the dreaded bollworm is supposed to add more than Rs7,000 crore to rural India's income in 2006.
By next year the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) will launch a local version of Bt cotton. This would allow farmers to recycle the seeds. The Mahyco Monsanto Biotech Ltd (MMB) is expected to launch a drought-tolerant variety soon
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