NDTV has just reported about the prospect of having a bumper cotton harvest this season in its report titled ‘India eyes bumper cotton crop as harvest begins.’
I am quoting from the report:
“India's cotton harvest is gaining pace and industry officials are optimistic of a bumper yield of 26 million bales (170 kg each) in the year ending September 2007, traders said on Thursday.
While harvesting is well underway in the major cotton growing states of Gujarat, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, scattered rains have delayed work in coastal areas of Maharashtra, and in Andhra Pradesh, they said.
India produced a record 24.2 million bales of cotton in 2005/2006 (Oct.-Sept.), 12 percent up on a year earlier.
"Harvesting operations have begun in Punjab, Gujarat. Until now there has been no report of pest attack," said Manoj Gala, a cotton trader in Gujarat, India's leading cotton state.
"The cotton quality is good and we are expecting plenty of export orders."
Indian officials are optimistic of exporting a lot of cotton in the coming months. However, I am not optimistic that this good news will prevent farmers from committing suicide unless the Indian government can ensure that the farmers get fair price for their crop. So, Indian government should now take up special measures to support the farmers. It will be a tragedy if any farmer commits suicide even after a bumper harvest.
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