Indore: Recent relentless rains have burst the bubbles forcotton farmers of state, who were expecting a bumper harvest with state looking at over 8 per cent crop damage due waterlogging in farm fields.
“Regular rainfall has caused damage to standing cotton crop in some pockets, especially those that did not have proper exit for rainwater. Crop damage is estimated at around 8 per cent. Stagnation of water hampers the growth and kills the plant,” said Madhya Pradesh Association of Cotton Processors and Traders president Kailash Agrawal.
More farmers had chosen cotton over soyabean and pulses with due to better prices but their high hopes are seen going down the drain. According to agriculture department, this kharif season, farmers have sown cotton on 5.30 lakh hectare as against 4.91 lakh hectare a year ago in Indore division.
In state, Nimar is the highest cotton cultivating region with over 50 per cent contribution to total output. Excess water in farms is also seen extending picking of cotton and may push back supply to market, experts said. Agriculture department Indore joint director Rewasingh Sisodia said, “Rainfall has hit standing cotton crops in some areas but that is not significant. Some farms have been hit due to regular rainfall but any severe impact was not observed.”
Experts said usually the deal for new cotton starts from beginning of September but this season it is seen getting delayed by a fortnight.
They said trade for crop will also depend on moisture content and if that remains high, it may further delay fresh trade.
Crop from fresh harvest is expected to start from September with some amount of moisture while premium quality produce will hit market from October.
Source: The Times Of India, India Wednesday, 04 September 2019