White gold is losing its sheen as TNAU forecasts a decline in cotton prices

Coimbatore: India is the world's major producer of cotton, and it sustains the Indian cotton textile industry by accounting for over 58% of total fibre consumption.

Cotton will be grown over an area of 130.61 lakh ha in 2022-23, according to the Ministry of Textiles of the Government of India, with a production of 343.47 lakh bales (1 bale = 170kg). Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh are the major cotton producing states in India.

Indian farmers have taken cotton cultivation in a large scale across the country based on the price realized during last year. According to trade sources, farmers switched to high yielding, short duration cultivars in order to harvest maximum profits immediately. Cotton production has expanded significantly in the country's western region. With the anticipation of better prices, the stocks held by the cotton farmers are affected by the recent cyclone. So, poor quality and surplus arrivals made the cotton prices fall.

A further 10 lakh bales of cotton are being imported as a precautionary measure to combat the price surge expected in 2022. There will be no room for pricing increases during the current season. Hence, farmers are advised to dispose the summer irrigated cotton immediately.

The Price Forecasting Scheme examined the previous 26 years of historical cotton prices in the Salem region and conducted a market survey to assist farmers to take up selling and seeding decisions.

According to the findings of the research and market survey, the farm gate price of good quality cotton during harvest will be between Rs.6500 and Rs.6800 per quintal. Hence, farmers are advised to take up sowing decisions of rainfed cotton accordingly.

For more information on MarketInformation, please contact:

i).Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies (CARDS) Domestic and

Export Market Intelligence

Cell. Phone: 0422-2431405

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Coimbatore - 641 003.

ii)Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Coimbatore - 641 003

Phone:0422-6611278

The Director and TN-IAMP Nodal Officer Centre for Water and Geospatial Studies.

For more information Please contact

Professor and Head, Department of Cotton,

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Coimbatore - 641 003

Phone No: 0422-2456297