Question : Cotton Production

(a) whether there has been a significant decline in the production and acreage of cotton in the country during the last three years and the cotton production is expected to hit a seven year low during 2016-17 and cotton imports likely to be the highest in this year, and if so, the details thereof, State-wise along with the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Government proposes to provide assistance/relief to cotton growers following decline in production of cotton during the 2016-17 and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of technological, financial and institutional assistance provided to cotton growers in the country during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(d) the details of the Centre for Cotton Excellence set up for boosting the production of cotton in the country, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the steps taken/being taen by the overnment to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton growing farmers to increase the production and acreage of cotton in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè (SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

(a): Total production of cotton in the country during 2016-17, estimated at 321.23 lakh bales (1st Advance Estimates) is the second lowest production of cotton since 2010-11. In the above period, the lowest cotton production of 301.47 lakh bales (4th Advance Estimates) was recorded during 2015-16. State-wise details of area and production of cotton in the country during last three years and the current year i.e. 2013-14 to 2016-17 are given at Annexure-I. The details of import of cotton during the above period are as under:

Contd…2/-
-2-



Year Quantity of Cotton Imported
(in 000 tonnes)
2013-14 180.97
2014-15 258.90
2015-16 231.63
2016-17* 333.40
* April-September


(b) to (d): To increase the production and productivity of cotton, a Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC) has been implemented in the country since February, 2000. In 2014-15, Mini Mission-II (MM-II) of TMC was subsumed under the National Food Security Mission-Commercial Crops (NFSM-CC) 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 & Integrated Crop Management (ICM).

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. State-wise details of Central Allocation under MM-II of TMC and the Allocation under NFSM-CC (Cotton) during last three year and the current year i.e. 2013-14 to 2016-17 are at Annexure-II.

(e): In order to ensure remunerative price to cotton growers in the country, Government of India has been increasing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of cotton. During 2016-17, the MSP of cotton has been increased from Rs.3800/-per quintal to Rs.3860/- per quintal for Medium Staple variety and from Rs.4100/- per quintal to Rs.4160/- per quintal for Long Staple variety.