Question : DECLINE IN COTTON PRODUCTION

(a) whether the production of cotton has drastically declined in some cotton producing States and specially in Maharashtra during the current year;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the cultivation of cotton has become more expensive due to adverse weather condition in the cotton producing States, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to give impetus to cotton cultivation and to provide adequate compensation to the farmers on account of damage/destruction of cotton crops and fall in cotton price in the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA)

(a) & (b): Depending upon the rainfall situation, adverse weather and temperature conditions, availability of water in reservoirs, irrigation facilities, use of quality inputs etc. and shift in the area on account of comparative profitability of other competing crops, annual production of cotton in the major cotton growing States of the country including Maharashtra has been fluctuating. State-wise details of production of cotton in the country during 2010-11 onwards are given in the Annexure.

(c): As per Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP), the overall projected cost of cultivation of cotton at All India level has increased from Rs.46144/- per hectare in 2012-13 to Rs.65589/- per hectare in 2014- 15. The increase in cost of cultivation has been on account of higher cost of inputs, labour etc.

(d) & (e): To enhance overall production and productivity of cotton in the country, during the current year i.e.2014-15, Government has approved Cotton Development Programme as a Sub-scheme under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Commercial Crops by adopting cropping system approach which includes proper crop rotation, multiple cropping system etc.

Under the above Sub-scheme, assistance is provided for Front Line Demonstrations on High Density Planting System (HDPS), Inter-cropping, Extra Long Staple (ELS)/Desi Cotton, besides programme on Insecticides Resistance Management (IRM) and Online Pest Monitoring and Advisory Services (OPMAS). To extend technical assistance and benefits to farmers, the Programme is implemented through State Departments of Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) etc.

In order to ensure remunerative price to cotton growers in the country, Government of India has fixed higher Minimum Support Price (MSP) of cotton for 2014-15. Government has also designated Cotton Corporation of India Ltd. (CCI) and National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation (NAFED) for procurement of cotton under MSP operations. The CCI and NAFED undertake price support operations, whenever the market prices of kapas touch the Minimum Support Prices announced by the Government, without any quantitative limit. Thus, the cotton farmers in the country are assured of better remuneration for their produce.

Further, to provide financial compensation to the farmers for losses in crop yield due to non-preventable risks including natural calamities, pests & diseases and adverse weather conditions, Government of India is implementing Crop Insurance Schemes for different crops including cotton.