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High density cotton cropping to increase yield
04 Feb '16
2 min read
While India's cotton output is expected to fall seven per cent to 352 lakh bales this season, a Textile Ministry initiative to increase cotton yield with high density cropping on 1000 acres in Telangana has shown encouraging results.
Textile Commissioner Kavita Gupta said the initial feedback has been very encouraging and all indications are that the yield would increase to 800 kg/hectare from the average current level of 540 kg/ha.
“We would be gradually increasing the high density cropping coverage to 5,000 acres next year. Similarly, in Nagpur we are going to replicate Israel model of drought resistance cotton crop which will consume less water compared to the normal variety,” she told reporters in Mumbai.
Earlier this week, Gupta said a five-member committee headed by KR Kranthi, Director, Central Institute for Cotton Research, has been formed to study latest developments in global cotton farming and submit a report in six months suggesting best practice that could be adopted in India.
The Cotton Advisory Board has forecast output to fall seven per cent to 352 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) in crop season which started in October 2015 due pest attack in Punjab and Gujarat and severe drought in Karnataka.
India's cotton exports which had run into rough weather after China cut its imports, recently got a boost with Pakistan ordering large shipments following the devastation of its cotton crop. Earlier this week, Gupta said Pakistan was likely to overtake Bangladesh as the largest importer of Indian cotton.
In the December quarter, India exported 16.6 lakh bales of cotton to Pakistan against 3.8 lakh bales in the same period last season. (SH)
Textile Commissioner Kavita Gupta said the initial feedback has been very encouraging and all indications are that the yield would increase to 800 kg/hectare from the average current level of 540 kg/ha.
“We would be gradually increasing the high density cropping coverage to 5,000 acres next year. Similarly, in Nagpur we are going to replicate Israel model of drought resistance cotton crop which will consume less water compared to the normal variety,” she told reporters in Mumbai.
Earlier this week, Gupta said a five-member committee headed by KR Kranthi, Director, Central Institute for Cotton Research, has been formed to study latest developments in global cotton farming and submit a report in six months suggesting best practice that could be adopted in India.
The Cotton Advisory Board has forecast output to fall seven per cent to 352 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) in crop season which started in October 2015 due pest attack in Punjab and Gujarat and severe drought in Karnataka.
India's cotton exports which had run into rough weather after China cut its imports, recently got a boost with Pakistan ordering large shipments following the devastation of its cotton crop. Earlier this week, Gupta said Pakistan was likely to overtake Bangladesh as the largest importer of Indian cotton.
In the December quarter, India exported 16.6 lakh bales of cotton to Pakistan against 3.8 lakh bales in the same period last season. (SH)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India
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