Hyderabad: Farmers in Telangana state are still pitching for cotton despite the government cautioning them against cultivating the crop in view of the likely fluctuations in prices due to changed global policies.
A World Trade Organisation resolution called upon nations to remove subsidies on cotton exports from January next. India is a signatory to the resolution.
The fields are green
Cotton has been sown in 10.32 lakh hectares by last week, as against the normal area of 17.09 lakh hectares. During Kharif 2014, cotton was cultivated on 12.13 lakh hectares and on 14.83 lakh hectares last year.
Cotton fetches Rs 40,00 a quintal. But Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao, agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Cabinet ministers and agri officials have cautioned farmers against opting for cotton because of a likely fluctuation in prices.
“Cotton has been sown in several places. The government had cautioned farmers in view of changed policies and fear of price fluctuations. But the government cannot impose a ban on its cultivation,” said Mr C. Parthasarathy, principal secretary, agriculture and cooperation.
Mr Parthasarathy said in view of the government campaign, the total area under cotton may ultimately come down by about 20 per cent.
The Chief Minister at a recent collectors’ conference asked them to discourage cotton cultivation and suggested alternative crops like maize and soyabean. He also lifted the earlier stipulation of providing subsidised soyabean only to farmers having up to five acres.
According to latest reports, Adilabad district recorded the highest cultivation of 2.51 lakh hectares, Warangal 1.8 lakh hectares, Nalgonda 1.74 lakh hectares, Karimnagar 1.30 lakh hectares, Khammam 1.11 lakh hectares, Mahbubnagar 93,258 hectares, Medak 68,486 hectares, Ranga Reddy 16,673 and Nizamabad 6,097 hectares.
