MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a): The area and production of cotton have varied year to year since 1998-99 to 2001-02 as under:
Year Area(`000 Hec.) Production(`000 bales of 170 Kg each)
1998-1999 9342.4 12287.1
1999-2000 8709.7 11529.6
2000-2001 8534.6 9523.8
2001-2002 9097.2 10094.1
(b): Yes, Sir.
(c): The main reasons for variation have been due to attack of disease and pests as well as occurrence of drought
in some cotton growing states, which had adversely affected area and production of cotton.
Realising the problems in cotton cultivation, the Government of India launched a Technology Mission on
Cotton which became operative from 2000-01 by integrating various aspects in cotton sector through four Mini-
Mission viz Mini-Mission-I on research by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Mini-Mission-II by Department
of Agriculture and Cooperation for increasing production and productivity, Mini-Mission-III on the development of
market infrastructure and Mini-Mission-IV on the modernization of ginning factories by the Ministry of Textiles.
Under Mini-Mission-II of Technology Mission on Cotton, the remedial measures includes integrated pest
management demonstration-cum-training, distribution of pheromone traps, distribution of bio-agents, supply of seeds
of high yielding and disease resistant varieties, surveillance of disease and pests, establishment of bio-agent
production units for the control of disease and pests. Besides, assistance is also given under Mini-Mission-II for water
saving devices like sprinklers and drip system.
(d): Does not arise.
