SICA & SIMA to set up 'cotton agro foundation'

20 Dec '05

2 min read

The South India Cotton Association (SICA) is actively promoting cotton, especially the extra long staple (ELS) variety, among farmers in the major cotton growing areas in the region.

Though spinning mills based in Tamil Nadu consume a substantial quantum of the cotton produced in the country, the state's share in production is negligible.

At current levels, mills in Tamil Nadu need at least 70 lakh bales (170 kg each) per year, whereas the production for '04-05 in the state is estimated at only 5.5 lakh bales. In fact, the state's cotton output is the lowest among key producing states in the four zones in the country.

SICA organised a frontline demonstration on Sara-2 ELS cotton for a group of farmers from Boothapady in Erode district in association with city-based Super Spinning Mills (SSML) on its premises here on Friday. G Xavier, head, agricultural division, SSML stated that they trained farmers on how to raise cotton economically. The focus is on reducing costs and increasing yield.

Farmers who attended the demo said availability of quality seeds for cultivation was a major problem. B Govindarajan, a farmer informed that if they get good quality seeds and some guidance on how to raise the crop, they will be able to increase the area under cotton.

Utharasamy, another farmer stated that rainfall has been good this year. As they have adequate water, there is a good scope for growing cotton this season. The yield currently stands at 6 quintals per acre. Only if we increase it to 10-12 quintals, it would be a remunerative proposition.

SICA officials said that they would conduct more such demonstrations to increase awareness among farmers about best cultivation practices.

According to SICA secretary, K.N. Viswanathan, SICA is also planning to set up a “cotton agro foundation” in association with the Southern India Mills' Association (SIMA) to bring representatives of mills and farmers together on a common platform.

The Economics Times

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