(a) the rank that India holds amongst cotton growing countries of the world;
(b) the production of cotton in the country during each of the last three years, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government proposes to formulate a scheme to encourage production of cotton; and
(d) if so, the details of the scheme?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a): India is the second largest producer of cotton in the world, next to China.
(b): State-wise production of cotton in the country during the last three years i.e.
2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 is given in the Annexure.
(c) & (d): In order to increase production, productivity and improve the quality
of cotton, the Government is implementing a Technology Mission on Cotton
(TMC) since 2000-01. The Technology Mission on Cotton consists of four Mini-
Missions. Mini-Mission-I on Research is being implemented by Indian Council of
Agricultural Research and Mini-Mission-II for enhancing production and
productivity is being implemented by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.
Mini-Mission-III on the development of market infrastructure and Mini-Mission-
IV on modernization of ginning/pressing factories are being dealt by the Ministry
of Textiles.
The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is implementing the Mini-
Mission-II of Technology Mission on Cotton in 13 States viz; Andhra Pradesh,
Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab,
Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Tripura. The main
strategies of Mini-Mission-II are:
# Increasing availability of quality seeds
# Covering more area under hybrids
# Popularization of integrated pest management methods
# Increasing irrigated area under cotton by efficient use of water through drip and sprinkler.
# Transfer of technology to farmers through field demonstrations and training of extension workers, input dealers and farmers.