Cotton bounty: White gold shines in Punjab’s Malwa region, farmers happy

After witnessing financial loss last year, the ‘white-gold’ is paying dividends to cotton growers.

After witnessing financial loss last year, the ‘white-gold’ is paying dividends to cotton growers.

The cotton market in Bathinda. (Sanjeev Kumar/HT)

From Rs 4,800-5,450 per quintal which is higher than the minimum support price (MSP), farmers in Malwa region are getting hefty prices. Due to damage by white fly, the farmers got Rs 3,800-4,200 per quintal, last year.

Director Agriculture Punjab, Jasbir Singh Bains said due to lower production last year, demand for cotton at national and global level shot up this year, which is one of the main reasons behind farmers getting higher prices. “Awareness regarding tackling of pest attack and appropriate use of pesticides helped farmers to improve quality of cotton,” he said.

CCI general manager Brijesh Kumar said so far, 43,500 bales of cotton yield have been brought across purchasing centres in Punjab. “Enhanced yield per acre is the reason behind farmers getting better offers, we are expecting at least 8 lakh bales of production,” he said.

“The CCI will start procurement only if prices fall below MSP. Presently, the private players are offering best prices to meet domestic and commercial consumption,” he said.

Despite steep fall in area covered under fibre crop, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is expecting increase in the yield to 8.05 lakh bales (every bale weighs 140 kg) than 6.50 bales last year. The area in the Malwa belt reduced to 2.48 lakh hectares from 4.50 lakh hectares as growers’ feared possibility of pest attack.

Gurmail Singh, a farmer from Talwandi Sabo, said he had sown cotton in 7.5 acre of area and remunerative prices after first session of picking may help farmers to cover last year’s losses. “I took risk especially after last year’s financial damage but this year my produce has yielded positive results,” Gurmail said. Even per acre yield has increased to 11-12 quintals than five to six quintals last year. Another farmer Samardeep Singh of Kutinal Khurd village said better prices have brought much-needed relief to cotton farmers.“ It is the right time, to bring the yield to markets, to get decent prices,” he said.

Relief for cotton-related industry too

The positive start to procurement season has brought relief to cotton industry. Jatinder Singh, secretary, Indian Cotton Association Limited (ICAL), said industry is based on farmers and if they are getting hefty prices, it will be beneficial for both entities.

Cotton minimum support price (per quintal)

Rs 4,060 Medium staple

Rs 4,160 Long staple