Amid adverse impact of a drought-like situation in key growing regions of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka, the Cotton Association of India (CAI), in its first crop estimates, has reduced the cotton crop size at 348 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) for 2018-19 from 365 lakh bales in 2017-18.
The CAI president Atul Ganatra said five cotton growing states in the country are facing problems at present. As per the CAI estimates, cotton crop in the largest grower Gujarat is set to decline by about 15 lakh bales to about 90 lakh bales projected for 2018-19 from 105 lakh bales last year. The state faced overall rainfall deficit of about 23% till October 5. Also, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are projected to have lower crop too.
He added that the maximum problem this year is in Gujarat. The state which gives the highest cotton production in India is facing overall 30% rain deficit. The rain deficit is more than 50% in 9 cotton growing districts of the state and 3 districts have already announced drought where the rain deficit is around 75%. Yield in Gujarat is also likely to reduce drastically.
Ganatra noted that despite almost similar cotton sowing as that of last year, cotton crop this year may be lower due to deficient rains in cotton growing states. As per the central government data, cotton sowing was reported at 120.64 lakh hectare for 2018-19 as against 121.72 lakh hectare in 2017-18.