MUMBAI (Commoditiescontrol) - Cotton sowing in Gujarat may fall nearly 15 percent this year. Farmers in the state are likely to shift to groundnut, sesame and pulses as they are not getting expected return from cotton. Cotton was sown in around 1,51,400 hectare (ha) till 15th June, 2015 in the state compared to around 2,56,800 ha in the corresponding period last year. While, total cotton acreage was at around 30.06 lakh ha in the state in 2014-15. Production was at 125 lakh bales (170kg each). In 2013-14, around 124 lakh bales were produced from 26.91 lakh ha.
Mr. Govardhan Patel from Atul Industries, Kadi (Gujarat) said that cotton sowing in the state this year is expected to decline 15 percent. Around 20-25 percent cotton sowing has been completed in Narmada canal area of Gujarat. Here, sowing of cotton started earlier this season due to sufficient availability of water. While, areas of Saurashtra which received rains recently, especially Porbandar and Junagadh, are groundnut dominating areas. Farmers in cotton growing areas in Saurashtra are still awaiting good rainfall. Mr. Patel said that farmers are disappointed with cotton crop and there are solid possibilities of them moving towards groundnut now. Groundnut was sown in around 60,500 ha in Gujarat till 5th June, 2015. While, acreage was 64,000 ha in the same period last year.
However, Mr. Jayesh Patel from Jaiprabhu Cotton Industires, Vijapur is of the opinion that cotton sowing in Gujarat will be same as it was a year ago. Though, some areas in Saurashtra may be converted into groundnut areas, cotton crop will be same as the last year, he added. Further he said, cotton sowing has just begun in Gujarat, with farmers awaiting better rainfall. The state is yet receive good rains. We expect clarity within the next 15-20 days.
Mr. Ramesh Bhorniya, from Naranka village in Paddhari Taluka, Rajkot told commoditiescontrol.com that last year, farmers neither received better yield nor expected price, due to which farmers may shift to other crops this year. Farmers in Gujarat, especially Saurashtra, are preferring to stay away from cotton, he adds. Farmers from Keshod of Junagadh are giving priority to tur, while others are preferring groundnut, sesame, black matpe (urad) and green gram (moong). These are the only cost effective crops which farmers can opt to instead of cotton, apart from providing better returns. Mr. Bhorniya said that all the regions in the state are yet to see proper rains, so sowing is slow at the moment. The manner in which the monsoon rains occur over the state will decide the future course of sowing.
Mr. Mansukh Suwagiya, Chairman of Jalkranti Trust, Rajkot said that normally, groundnut sowing rises when that of cotton declines and vice versa. Farmers in the region do not have much options. Groundnut sowing is likely to increase this year. Farmers may also opt for sesame and castor seed planting. But on the whole, it is certain that other crops are replacing the expensive cotton crop, hence cotton acreage may decline 20 percent.
Mr. Heerji Bhingradia, a farmer from Malpura in Botad district said that rains so far is not sufficient for sowing. Few farmers may switch to pulses because of hike in minimum support price (MSP). But cotton acreage is not expected to decline. More so because farmers in these areas have developed drip irrigation facilities, so cotton crop can be grown even in little water. He says that cotton is the only crop which is providing some return. Acreage of groundnut and pulses remains lower in Botad as wild boar and nilghai damage crops extensively here.
Mr. Pravin Vohra, a retired district agriculture officer from Jamnagar said that they are recommending farmers to prefer growing cotton more. However, he says that though farmers did not receive desired returns from cotton this year, there are not much losses in cotton and it may provide good returns to farmers in times to come. He added that though a lot of farmers are shifting towards groundnut, it has always provided lesser returns than that of cotton. While, full-fledged farming is yet to get started, with clear picture expected after some days.
Mr. Pravin Patel from Patel Agro, Rajkot said that cotton sowing this year is poor in terms of prevailing sentiments, with likeliness of declining around 15-20 percent this year in the region. Farmers in the region were not growing soyabean until now, but are now seemingly keen to grow this crop, which is imminent with the fact that sale of soybean seed has increased. Apart from groundnut, farmers have also developed preference for soybean. He reiterates that the entire Gujarat is yet to receive proper rains in order to start sowing. If rains begin in a full-fledged manner, early sowing data for cotton would see many changes, Mr. Patel notes.
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau; +91-22-40015533)
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