Over the final three years, the yield per hectare of Indian cotton has dropped below 500 kg per hectare regardless of a rise in the realm underneath the fibre crop.
Data from the Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption (CCPC), a physique comprising representatives from growers, merchants, mills, exporters and authorities, present that whereas the realm underneath cotton has topped 130 lakh hectares (lh) since 2019, the yield per hectare dropped below 500 kg, 4 instances out of the final six years.
‘Yet to feel the pinch’
Industry officers, merchants and cotton analysis scientists say India is but to really feel the pinch of the low yield for the reason that textile trade has not been operating at capability since March final yr because of the Covid pandemic.
“The textiles industry consumes at least 320 lakh bales (170 kg each) currently. Last season (October 2019-September 2020), we exported 47 lakh bales and this season we will end up shipping 75 lakh bales. This was possible due to higher ending stocks but during normal times, this could lead to sharp rise in cotton prices which the domestic industry could find it tough,” mentioned M Ramasami, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Rasi Seeds (P) Ltd.
According to the CCPC, cotton closing shares, final season have been 120.95 lakh bales, and for the present season, they’ve been estimated at 97.95. Industry and dealer consultants really feel the closing shares this season might be decrease than CCPC’s estimates. “India cotton yield is low since no new seed technology has been introduced since 2006. When technology is not upgraded, yield stagnates. We are witnessing such a phenomenon now,” mentioned a multinational agency official, on the situation of anonymity as he isn’t authorised to talk to the media. “Countries such as Australia, Brazil and the US have gone five generations ahead of India in cotton seed technology,” the official mentioned.
Ranks 34 in yield
Data present that although India is the biggest producer of cotton globally, it ranks 34th in phrases of yield, below Vietnam, Pakistan, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia and Myanmar.
Australia tops the record, getting 2,0171 kg of cotton per hectare, adopted by China (1,879 kg), Brazil (1,803 kg) and Turkey (1,645 kg), respectively. “We got the best out of the genetically-modified cotton during 2013-14, but after that yield has stagnated. New technology is not available to farmers, particularly in tackling weeds. Farmers have to spend more on labour to remove the weeds, and it is a reason for production being low in Maharashtra,” mentioned CD Mayee, famend cotton scientist and President, South Asia Biotechnology Centre.
CCPC information present that Maharashtra has the best space underneath cotton at 41.84 lh, however its yield is the bottom amongst all States below 350 kg. Only Gujarat has proven a rise in acreage over the past three years, however that is attributed to the cultivation of an unauthorised Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) selection.
Technology licence
“Each one in the textile industry will stand to gain if cotton yield increases to at least 600 kg. Farmers will get higher returns, industry will get cotton at a competitive price and in turn, textile products will be competitive in the global market,” mentioned a textile trade official.
“In 2012, the licence to use Bt technology from Monsanto (now taken over by Bayer) expired. Subsequently, we have not got any new technology such as Bollgard III. No new seed technology has been approved since then and this has led to stagnation of yield,” mentioned Ok Selvaraju, Secretary-General, Southern India Mills Association (SIMA). “The Centre should implement the 2012 Keshav Kranthi report and come up with technology mission on cotton II,” mentioned the official of SIMA, the apex physique of textile mills in South India.
Also learn: Cotton positive aspects in Gujarat however loses acreage in North Indian States
Cotton scientist Keshav Kranthi, Chief Scientist, International Cotton Advisory Committee, had in 2012 submitted a report back to the Centre because the director of Central Institute of Cotton Research, advocating the event of native know-how to deal with droughts and weeds.
Pink bollworm menace
“The Bollgard II technology had a big impact, particularly in tackling the pink bollworm until 2015-16. After than the technology lost its potency and the pest developed resistance. Now, farmers have to resort to spraying pesticide to tackle the bollworm and, in a way, this has resulted in productivity dropping,” mentioned Ramasami.
A major cause for brand spanking new know-how not being accessible for cotton, or any new crop, is that seed know-how corporations have withdrawn their purposes for approval from the Genetical Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). “Introduction of GM crops were affected by the moratorium ordered by the Supreme Court in 2009 on Bt brinjal. In addition, the Centre began to fix the prices for cottonseed, which led to the royalty multinational seed firms received for the technology they offered being cut sharply. Two years ago, the royalty was reduced to zero,” mentioned Ramasami.
This has resulted in two developments. One, the menace of pink bollworm has elevated. Two, farmers have begun to make use of unapproved seed applied sciences, which might be dangerous to them in the long term.
Maharashtra’s case
“At least 20 lakh hectares in Maharashtra have been brought under the unauthorised HTBt (Herbicide tolerant Bt) cotton. This is fine for short-term but in the longer run, we need standard companies to produce the seeds to protect farmers from any harm such as adulterated or spurious seeds,” mentioned scientist Mayee.
“Illegal technology, especially to tackle weeds, is spreading. This is distributed through locals in villages and farmers, who are being misled and face risks. The organised seed industry is also affected as a result,” mentioned Ramasami.
According to the multinational agency official, farmers are usually not exhibiting any curiosity in non-GM cotton since they need to spend extra on spraying pesticides and pesticides. “There is no demand from farmers for non-GM cotton seed,” he mentioned.
“We pretty well know how costly engaging farm labour has become these days,” mentioned Ramasami.
Bt seeds make up over 95 per cent of the realm underneath cotton India, which accounts for over 40 per cent of the entire world space. Production, nonetheless, is just a little over 26 per cent of the entire world output.
Ramasami mentioned the Centre ought to encourage new know-how, which is able to end result in funding by multinational and home seed firms enhancing in analysis and growth.
