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 I.J. Dhuria, corporate general manager of Vardhman Textiles Ltd., the area under cotton cultivation in Punjab and Haryana is expected to surge by 10 to 15 per cent in the next cotton season.
“This is so as farmers will get 20 per cent 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 said.
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 equals 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 will be available at Rs 750 per packet and Rs 925 per packet.
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