Cotton Crop Failure in Gujarat May Lead to National Crisis

Economy

Cotton Crop Failure in Gujarat May Lead to National Crisis

Gujarat government recently released data on cotton sowing stating that 2.65 million hectares of land has been utilized for it in the current year. The corresponding figure for the previous year stood at 2.64 million hectare.

Scanty rainfall has adversely impacted the cotton yield, resulting in crop failure this year so far. The state government disclosed that there were many cotton growing areas like Saurashtra and North Gujarat are facing a dry patch and lack proper irrigation facilities. If the monsoons fail to pick up in the near season, it will be harmful for the cotton crop in the state opined farmers and industry experts.

The delay in monsoons had caused the farmers to begin sowing seeds late. Besides, the recent floods have severely damaged crops in South Gujarat and Saurashtra. With the current situation in view, the cotton crop yield in Gujarat is likely to be below expectations.

Till recently Gujarat received 454 mm rains and it amounts 55% season’s normal average of 831 mm. In contrast, Gujarat had received 662 mm rainfall in the previous year. Any loss in crop yield in the state will impact the cotton trade pan India as Gujarat is the leading cotton producing state.

Besides, there has been very poor rainfall in districts famous for cotton farming like Sundernagar, Kutch, Morbi and Banaskantha. Atul Ganatra, president of Cotton Association of India (CAI) said, “These factors will decrease the yield and will affect price and supply.”