Cotton growers shifting to alternative crops

The low prices of cotton have shifted the attention of growers to alternative crops in country, which may result in shortfall of target of cotton production in next kharif season, said ginners and growers of the country. The Federal Agriculture Committee has fixed the target of 14 million bales output from the upcoming cotton cultivation season which might not be achieved because of unattractive domestic prices.

The total production of cotton had been achieved 12.775 million bales against set target of 14.140 million bales in outgoing cotton crop season which depicted a shortfall of 1.365 million bales. The per acre yield had been registered at 705/kg against target of 740/kg in current season, official data disclosed. The low support price, surging prices of inputs and meager subsidy by government were the main reasons of increasing shortfall in the production of cotton by growers of the country, said Central Committee Member of Pakistan Ginners Association Mahesh Kumar. He said that the prices of food oriented crops are higher than cotton in country such as red Chili is Rs.12000/per maund, rice paddy (non-basmati) Rs.1100/per maund and basmati more than Rs.1600/per maund in the country. This rapid increase of prices in food crops has shifted the attention of growers to cultivate other alternative crops rather than sowing of cotton which support price is Rs.1300/per maund.

He pointed out that country produces an average of 11.5 million bales cotton against the total consumption of 15 million bales yearly, showing 3.5 million bales shortfall which being fulfilled the through import.