Cotton productivity in India during the ongoing 2018-19 season is the lowest in a decade, according to the Cotton Association of India (CAI). The June production estimate released by the association projects the country’s output at 312 lakh bales of 170 kg each. This works out to 420.72 kg or 2.47 bales per hectare as cotton area is 126.07 lakh hectare.
“This brings to light a startling fact that cotton productivity in India this year is the lowest in a decade. Bringing larger area into cultivation of cotton to increase production is not the solution for India. What is required to improve the health of cotton sector in India is to increase the cotton productivity level,” said CAI president Atul S Ganatra.“This calls for urgent attention and concerted efforts by all stakeholders for increasing the cotton productivity level in India lest a day should not be far off when India will turn into a net cotton importing country,” he added.
