Cotton producers worried due to workers' concerns and falling prices

10-Jul-2024 08:19 PM

New Delhi. There is a possibility of a 10-15 percent decline in the cotton sowing area at the national level during the current year as compared to last year because due to increasing cost, workers' problems and weak market prices, cotton producers may have to struggle hard to get attractive and profitable prices for their produce.

Apart from this, there is also a risk of insect and disease attack on the cotton crop, while due to unfavorable weather, the average yield rate of cotton often decreases and its quality is also affected. In view of the high cost and workers' problems,

cotton cultivation does not seem as profitable to the farmers of Maharashtra as it was a few years ago. It is known that the maximum cultivation of cotton in the country is done in Maharashtra, while it ranks second after Gujarat in its production.

Earlier, cotton crop was considered white gold for the farmers, but now it is included in the general category or has become a crop of strength. Farmers of Akola (Maharashtra) say that the cost of cotton cultivation is increasing every year and especially the cost of labour has increased a lot, so it is no longer profitable for the farmers.

But there is no other option. Cultivation of Tuvar, Urad and other pulses has its own problems, so farmers are forced to turn to cotton.

Whether it gives any special benefit or not. There has already been a huge decline in the area of ​​cotton cultivation in northern states and especially Punjab and Rajasthan, while in Gujarat too its area is likely to decrease considerably.

Although the central government has increased the minimum support price of cotton to Rs 7121 per quintal, but farmers do not seem to be very excited by this. There is news of reduction of cotton area by 20 percent in northern Maharashtra.