Gujarat has to face a loss of 5 percent in production of cotton in 2007 due to non-availability of fertilizer in time. This was informed by Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, State Agriculture Minister to the Assembly.
Cotton production in the state during 2006-07 was 87 lakh bales.
Cultivation of cotton was undertaken in 32.90 lakh hectare in 2007 and production is expected to be around 90-95 lakh bales.
Chudasama also stated that Maharashtra sold 5-8 lakh bales to Gujarat in 2007.
Gujarat has exported 30 lakh bales worth Rs 2,700 crore so far during 2007, as against 25 lakh bales exported in 2006.
Cotton is exported to countries like China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey by Gujarat.