Cotton production from North India records 23% growth upsurge

New Delhi, Aug 31 (KNN) The cotton Production is likely to jump 23.40 per in the forthcoming season, said Indian Cotton Association Limited (ICAL).

The Bathinda-based industry body in a survey, estimated cotton production at 58.30 lakh bales of 170 kg each in north India including Rajasthan during the new season 2022-23.

Formally, a new season begins in October and ends in September next year. However, the new crop has started arriving quite early to the market this time. The arrival is expected to pick up pace in mid-September.

According to the ICAL estimate, cotton output may reach 19.49 lakh bales in Haryana, up from 15.11 lakh bales in the previous season. The production in Punjab is likely to decrease to 6.89 lakh bales from 7.21 lakh bales of last season.

Upper Rajasthan including Surajgarh and Pilani belt can expect crop of 19.65 lakh bales during the new season, compared to 16.26 lakh bales last season.

The production is projected to be 11.48 lakh bales in lower Rajasthan including Bikaner region, against the earlier output of 9.86 lakh bales.

Rajasthan’s total cotton production is estimated to increase to 33.08 lakh bales from 26.12 lakh bales in the previous season.

Though cotton sowing area has not increased proportionately, higher production in the entire region is attributed to good progress of the crop.

According to the sowing data of Indian ministry of agriculture, cotton sowing area increased slightly to 6.88 lakh hectare from 6.50 lakh ha in Haryana. The acreage decreased to 2.48 lakh ha against 2.54 lakh ha in Punjab. But the sowing area increased to 6.53 lakh ha in Rajasthan from 6.29 lakh ha last season.

“Normally the region produces 55-60 lakh bales on an average. However, late rain and pink ball worm attack severely affected cotton production last year due to which the total production reduced to 47.41 lakh bales during the season ending in September,” Mukul Tayal, president of ICAL told Fibre2Fashion.

“The crop progress remained better this year if we ignore limited damage in a few areas. Overall, cotton production is not likely to be affected by heavy rains in earlier months of this season,” he added.

The entire north India region will receive crop in full swing in October. (KNN Bureau)