(a) whether yield of cotton in cotton producing countries in the world is 550 Kgs
per hectare whereas in India, it is around 266 Kgs per hectatre;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to increase the
yield of cotton per hectare in the country?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI NITISH KUMAR)
(a) to (c) : A statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.
THE STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 50 DUE FOR REPLY ON 26.07.2000.
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. The average yield of cotton lint in the country during 1995-
96 to 1997-98 was 239 kg per hectare as compared to world average of 574 kg per
hectare during above period.
(c) In order to improve the yield and the quality of cotton, the Government of
India has approved the implementation of a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of
Technology Mission on Cotton in January, 2000. The Mission consists of four Mini-
Missions. The Mini-Mission-I on research is to be dealt by the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research for evolving newer and better varieties/technologies suited to
different agro-climatic conditions of the country for improving the yield and quality of
cotton.
The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation is responsible for the
implementation of Mini-Mission-II for enhancing production through the modification
of on-going Scheme of Intensive Cotton Development Programme. The Intensive
Cotton Development Programme envisages to enhance production and productivity
through various extension/developmental activities such as transfer of technologies
by field demonstration/farmer training, supply of certified seeds of varieties released
during last fifteen years, use of water saving devices like sprinkler and drip system,
establishment of seed delinting machines and various activities of pest control
including setting up of bio-agent unit, surveillance, Integrated Pest Management
(IPM), demonstration-cum-training supply of sprayers/pheromone trap/bio-agents.
The Ministry of Textiles is nodal Ministry for implementation of Mini-Mission-
III & Mini Mission-IV. The Mini Mission-III is meant for the development of
marketing infra-structure by undertaking activities like construction of marketing
yards, auction centers, grading facilities, laboratories for testing quality of cotton.
The Mini Mission-IV aims at upgradation and modernisation of ginning and pressing
factories for the production of better quality cotton.