GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Agriculture
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & COOPERATION 

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2180
ANSWERED ON AUGUST 30, 2013 

QUESTION
Decline in Production of Cotton
 

2180. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR 

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE be pleased to state; 

(a)   Whether it is a fact that production of cotton in Karnataka and other parts of the country is declining, which is a cause of concern for the textile sector; 

(b)   if so,  the details thereof; and 

(c)    the remedial measures Government proposes to take in this regard?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) to (c): State-wise details of production of cotton m the country during the last five years i.e. 2008-09 to 2012-13 are given in the Annexure.

It may be observed that the production of cotton in the country has increased from 22.28 million bales (of 170 kg each) in 2008-09 to 35.20 million bales in 2011-12. During 2012-13, the cotton production marginally declined to 34.00 million bales mainly due to shift in the cotton area in some States to other competing crops. Since India is a cotton surplus country, slight decline in cotton production may not affect the textile sector.

In order to further improve production, productivity and quality of cotton, the Government is implementing a centrally sponsored Scheme of Mini Mission II of Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC) in 13 Cotton growing States in the country. Under the above Scheme assistance is provided to farmers for seeds, agriculture implements, water saving devices, bio-agents/bio-pesticides, integrated post management, demonstrations, training, etc. Further Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) implements All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Cotton with specific mandate to develop high yielding varieties and hybrid of cotton and related cotton production and protection technologies. Central Institute for Cotton Research at Nagpur is conducting basic and strategic research on Cotton.

Annexure 

Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (c) of Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2180 due for answer on 30.08.2013

                                                            State-wise estimates of Production of cotton during 2008-09 to 2012-13

1. # included in others.               NA: Not Applicable

         *4th advance estimates released on 22.07.2013