Question : Production of Cotton

(a) whether the acreage and production of cotton has declined in the country during the last three years and the current year;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise along with the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government proposes to give impetus to the cultivation of cotton and to provide adequate compensation to the cotton growers for fall in price and damage to crops and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of technological, financial and institutional assistance provided to the cotton growers in the country during the said period, State-wise; and

(e) the details of Centre for Cotton Excellence set up for boosting the production of cotton in the country State-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

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(a) & (b): The area under cotton in the country during the last three years i.e. 2011-12 to 2013- 14 has been hovering around 120.00 lakh hectares. However, during 2014-15, total area under cotton has increased to 129.94 lakh hectares.

Depending upon the yearly variations in the area coverage and productivity on account of rainfall situation, weather conditions, irrigations facilities, use of quality inputs etc., total production of cotton in the country during 2011-12 to 2014-15 has been fluctuating between 342.20 lakh bales to 359.02 lakh bales. State-wise details of area coverage and production of cotton in the country during 2011-12 to 2014-15 are given in the Annexure.
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(c): To enhance overall production and productivity of cotton in the country, Government of India approved in 2014-15, a 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.

In order to avoid distress sale and ensure remunerative price to cotton growers in the country, Government of India has designated two nodal agencies viz. Cotton Corporation of India Ltd. (CCI) and National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation (NAFED) to undertake Minimum Support Price (MSP) Operation whenever prices of Kapas touch the MSP level and procure Kapas offered by cotton farmers in various Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) market yards, at the MSP announced by the Government. 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.

(d): With the objective of increasing production & productivity and improving the quality of cotton, a Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC) has been implemented in the country since February, 2000. Mini Mission-I of TMC implemented by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), dealt with research and technology. Mini Mission-II for enhancing production and productivity of cotton was being implemented by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation. Under Mini Mission-II, assistance was made available for production and distribution of seeds, field demonstrations, farmers’ training, use of water saving devices, integrated pest management, etc. Mini Mission-III on development of market infrastructure and Mini Mission-IV on modernization of ginning/pressing factories were being implemented by Ministry of Textiles.

In 2014-15, Mini Mission-II of TMC has been subsumed under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Commercial Crops Programme and is being implemented by adopting cropping system approach. Under the above Sub-scheme, assistance is provided for trials on High Density Planting System (HDPS), Frontline demonstrations on Inter-cropping, Extra Long Staple(ELS)/Desi Cotton, besides programme on Insecticides Resistance Management(IRM) and Online Pest Monitoring & Advisory Services(OPMAS). To extend technical assistance and benefits to farmers, these interventions are implemented through State Departments of Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR), State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), etc.
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(e): Currently, the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Cotton is in operation with its headquarter at Coimbatore and spread over 22 participating Centres involving 16 State Agricultural Universities. The ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur and its Regional Stations at Coimbatore and Sirsa provide basic research support and also take part in some of the research and evaluation activities of the AICRP on Cotton. The Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT, ICAR), Mumbai and its Regional units located at Sirsa, Surat, Nagpur, Dharwad, Guntur and Coimbatore are closely associated with All India Coordinated Cotton Improvement Project (AICCIP) in assessing the fibre quality parameters of cotton besides ensuring appropriate value addition to cotton. However, the Government has not set up any specific Centres of Excellence in the country for improving the quality of cotton seeds and to boost cotton production across the country.