MUMBAI (Commoditiescontrol) – The latest cotton sowing data released by Agriculture department has raised some concern as planting as on July 12 was pegged down 15% to 77.50 lakh hectares as against 90.88 lakh hectares a year ago.
Cotton planting is lagging well behind in Gujarat, which accounts for more than 23% of national area during 2017-18, mainly due to slow monsoon progress.
Cotton has been sown in 11.44 lakh hectares, down 42.51% from 19.90 lakh hectares last year as monsoon rainfall was not so kind in cotton producing belts.
According to available data on Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall in Gujarat so far this season ( June 1 to June 16, 2018) stood at 209.1 mm, down from 236.30mm of normal precipitation.
Around 14 districts in Gujarat accounts nearly 90% of total area as shown in below table.
According to MET data as July 16, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Jamnagar, Ahmedabad & Kutch were under deficient (-59% to -20%) or large deficient zone (-99% to -60%).
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However Anand Popat, Director, Cotyarn Trade Link LLP, based in Rajkot said, “Most of the cotton producing belts which were under stress have received good rainfall over the past 12-24 hours and thus there is no reason to worry as farmers will increase sowing pace in weeks ahead.”
Anand said, there is higher possibility of cotton acreage to rise this season as farmers are interested to sow more cotton due to sharp hike in MSP.
However the late rainfall has extended the usual period of harvest and it could be delayed by at least by 2-3 weeks, said Popat.
New cotton harvest in Gujarat generally starts from first week of October, but it could be stretched this time to third-fourth week of October, he noted.
Chandu Bhai, a cotton trader from Surendranagar (which accounts of 15% of total area in Gujarat) said, we have received some good overnight rainfall, which is sufficient to help sowing operations, however more rainfall required to boost soil moisture.
He claim, “The new crop harvest is expected to delay by one month due to late sowing amid slow monsoon progress in the state.”
Gujarat produced around 104 lakh bales of cotton in 2017-18, according to CAB.
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau; +91-22-40015533)
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