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A meeting of the Standing Committee
on Cotton of the ICMF-CDRA was
held at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday
the 26th April 2005 in, Mumbai.
Extending a hearty welcome
to all those attending the meeting
of the Standing Committee on
Cotton of the ICMF-CDRA, especially
to Shri Subodh Kumar, Textile
Commissioner, MOT, GOI, Mumbai
and Shri V. K. Ladia, Chairman,
ICMF, Shri P. D. Patodia, Chairman,
Standing Committee on Cotton
stated that the year 2004-05
was an eventful year. He added
that during this period the
country harvested the highest
ever cotton crop of over 23.00
million bales. Even cotton yields
reached a level of 440 kgs.
per hectare recording an increase
of 40%. This was possible because
of numerous efforts made by
Central Government along with
concerned State Governments
through TMC, he added. He also
appreciated the efforts made
by Seed Producing Companies
to enhance supply of Quality
Seeds to Cotton Growers. Spread
of Bt. Cotton was also responsible
for raising productivity of
cotton. Shri Patodia also referred
to the contribution of CCI and
Non-Governmental Agencies like
ICMF-CDRA, SIMA-CDRA, individual
Mills, Appachi Cotton Co., COTAAP
etc. in raising productivity
and production of Cotton.
He further stated that cotton
consumption was on the increase.
Mills' Cotton Consumption had
gone up from 163.25 lakh bales
in 2003-04 to 180.00 lakh bales
during 2004-05. With Quota Regime
coming to an end and with country's
robust economic growth, this
trend was likely to continue.
Cotton consumption was likely
to reach a level of 35.00 million
bales by 2010.
While apprising the Committee
about the work done by the ICMF-CDRA,
Shri P. D. Patodia stated that
we laid greater emphasis on
creating awareness amongst cotton
growers. In Gujarat with expertise
of B.A.College of Agriculture,
Anand, ICMF-CDRA could reach
out to 3161 cotton farmers.
Four Kissan Melas were organized
where cotton experts from B.A.College
of Agriculture, Anand guided
the farmers. 5000 copies of
booklets on New Agronomic Practices
and 2000 posters on IPM were
printed and distributed.
Whereas in Maharashtra, ICMF-CDRA
could cover about 2000 cotton
farmers. As many as 29 Farmers'
Field Schools were held in School
Buildings, Pachayat Offices,
Temples etc. where 1233 cotton
farmers could interact with
cotton expert. In Maharashtra,
CDRA attempted to educate cotton
farmers regarding low cost agronomic
practices, which richly benefited
the farmers, Shri Patodia added.
In Karnataka, the University
of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
helped us in implementing our
project, which covered about
1000 cotton farmers in 10 villages
of Dharwad, Karwar and Gadag.
A Kissan Mela was also organized.
In M.P. teams of scientists
from Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi
Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV), Khandwa
undertook 4 field tours to guide
the cotton farmers.
In Rajasthan, 3 Kissan Melas
were organized by the Joint
Director of Agriculture, Sri
Ganganagar whereas in Haryana
one 1 day Training Programme
was organized for 100 cotton
farmers of Village Ludas. M/s.DCM
Textiles organized the Training
Programme.
Referring to programme for the
coming cotton crop season, viz.
2005-06, Shri Patodia stated
that in addition to Rs. 35 lakhs
being provided by the CCI for
taking up projects under M.M.II,
ICMF-CDRA has contributed Rs.7
lakhs so as to widen the net
of ICMF-CDRA to reach out to
cotton farmers not covered by
our M.M.II Projects. He hoped
that with the guidance and support
of the DOCD, Mumbai and the
CCI, ICMF-CDRA should be able
to successfully implement its
various projects during 2005-06.
Shri P. D. Patodia further added
that ICMF-CDRA has already succeeded
in getting the services of renowned
cotton experts to lead our Projects.
He further added that as a matter
of policy, ICMF-CDRA was associating
Regional Mills' Associations
for implementing cotton developmental
Projects.
He also mentioned that during
the year 2005-06, ICMF-CDRA
was planning to create awareness
amongst cotton farmers regarding
Proper Methods of Cotton Picking,
Storing and Transportation to
effectively tackle the problem
of cotton contamination. He
said that he was writing to
G & P Factory Owners to
organize meetings of cotton
farmers. It was also proposed
to organize meetings of cotton
farmers with the assistance
of TMC, COTAAP and G & P
Factories under the banner of
"COTTON QUALITY AWARENESS
MUNCH".
Making his initial observations,
Shri V. K. Ladia, Chairman,
ICMF, complimented and congratulated
Shri P. D. Patodia for excellent
work done by the ICMF-CDRA under
his able leadership. He added
that he had an opportunity to
visit few Ginning & Pressing
Factories in Gujarat and could
meet the factory people as well
as the cotton growers. The cotton
growers now know how to grow
cotton and are aware of the
good agronomic practices, he
added. The awareness prograamme
launched by the ICMF-CDRA has
definitely started showing significant
result. He recalled that just
3 years ago, reaching a cotton
production figure of 250 lakh
bales was a distant dream. But
with this rapid increase in
yields, it should be possible
to cross the cotton production
figure of 25.00 million bales
mentioned in the ICMF-CDRA VISION
in the next year itself.
Recalling his discussion with
the G & P Factory people,
he stated that they were willing
to improve the quality of ginning
and reduce the trash content
below 2% provided we paid them
a premium of Rs.200/-. He stated
that this was very much a workable
proposition. He, therefore,
wanted the senior executives
like the Managing Directors
of the mills to visit G &
P Factories. This would provide
a direct interaction between
the User Mills and G & P
Factory. A visit by the M.D.
of a Mill to a G & P Factory
could be highly motivating and
hence we should encourage Mills
to visit G & P Factories.
During his visit to G &
P Factories in Gujarat he saw
cotton being unloaded from lorries
when he spoke to some cotton
farmers and brought to their
notice some trash and contamination
in seed cotton. Shri Ladia added
that the farmers welcomed his
suggestions. Shri Ladia stated
that he would write D.O. letters
to at least few leading mills
requesting their M. Ds to visit
G & P. Factories.
While referring to the problems
of cotton contamination, Shri
Ladia stated that we should
strictly avoid criticizing our
cotton through media. This would
do more damage to our cotton
and cotton products. He, therefore,
appealed for self imposed discipline
of not providing any information
on Quality of cotton directly
to any International Body.
Referring to possible shifting
of cotton areas to other cash
crops, Shri Ladia stated that
with 40% increase in Yield,
the cotton farmers have received
some benefit. If the yield level
could go up to 700 kgs./ hectare
(i.e. present world average
cotton yield level), the farmers
would not turn to other crops.
As long as the cotton farmers
get right contribution, they
would not switch over to other
crops.
Participating in the discussion,
Shri R.L.Toshniwal, Chairman,
SRTEPC, expressed happiness
for the rapid progress made
on cotton production front.
He, however, requested the Committee
to deliberate whether the figure
of 25.00 million bales as mentioned
in the ICMF-CDRA Vision should
be revised upward.
While appreciating the efforts
made by ICMF-CDRA towards enhancing
cotton yields and improving
its quality, through extension
activities, Shri M. B. Lal stated
that a virtual revolution has
taken place on cotton front.
He stated that our minimum cotton
production target should be35.00
million bales. He further added
that it should be easily possible
to achieve this target in view
of the fact that India has the
largest area under cotton and
with yields increasing to present
world average level of about
700 kgs/ha. we could easily
have a cotton crop of 35.00
million bales in the next 5
years.
Shri Lal also appreciated the
proposed action plan of the
ICMF-CDRA for improving the
quality of cotton. In this connection
he suggested that we should
go for "Contract Farming"
and "Adoption of Villages-With
one Village - One Variety".
This would facilitate educating
cotton growers regarding New
Agronomic Practices leading
to higher productivity and in
maintaining the purity of seeds.
While referring to higher incentives
provided by the Ministry of
Agriculture, Government of India,
on production and distribution
of high quality certified seeds,
Shri M.B.Lal suggested that
the State Seed Corporations
should distribute seeds to cotton
farmers through market committees
or any other institution so
that the cotton farmers get
the benefit of higher subsidy
component on production and
distribution of seeds.
Expressing his concern about
fixing a production target of
35.00 million bales to be achieved
by 2010, Dr. Anupam Barik, Director,
DOCD Mumbai stated that it would
be difficult to achieve such
a steep production target as
area under cotton was reducing.
Moreover, Maharashtra alone
has about 30 lakh hectares under
cotton out of which area of
about 15 lakh hectares is such
that we cannot expect to have
yields of 700 kgs. per hectare.
Coming to cotton projects to
be taken up by non-governmental
agencies like ICMF-CDRA under
Mini Mission II during 2005-06,
Dr. Barik stated that ICAR,
has developed certain technologies
for different cotton growing
regions. He added that it would
be necessary to guide these
agencies regarding technologies
to be demonstrated in different
cotton growing States.
Participating in the discussion,
Shri Vishwa Nath, Adviser (CCI-TMC)
stated that under New Guidelines
issued by the Ministry of Agriculture,
the CCI had received proposals
from different agencies for
a total value of Rs. Nine Crores.
He, however added that the Ministry
of Agriculture, had agreed to
provide Rs. Three Crores. Out
of this amount, the Ministry
would provide Rs.1.75 Crores
by 3rd week of May 2005. Keeping
in view the experience of ICMF-CDRA
in undertaking extension work
and the areas being covered
by it, highest allocation of
Rs.35 lakhs has been made to
the ICMF-CDRA. Shri Vishwa Nath
further added that it may be
possible to provide an advance
funds to the extent of 25% to
30% of the allocation against
a Bank Guarantee. He also added
that formal letter relating
to allocation of funds shall
be issued in a day or two. He
further stated that while detailed
guidelines regarding utilization
of funds shall be issued by
the CCI, a meeting with representatives
of all agencies taking up Projects
under M.M.II shall be held to
clarify doubts if any.
While expressing confidence
about our ability to achieve
a production target of 35.00
million bales, Shri Vishwa Nath
urged Shri V. K. Ladia, Chairman,
ICMF, New Delhi to request mills
to take up contract farming
in a big way, Shri Vishwa Nath
further added that CCI has taken
steps to set up "Clean
Cotton Club" where progressive
Ginners and Users come together
to promote production of Clean
Cotton.
Participating in the discussion,
Dr. V .R. Gadwal, Mahyco., Mumbai
stated that area under Bt. Cotton
in India was increasing rapidly.
He further added that about
25 sub-licenses have been issued.
Consequently availability of
Bt. Seeds would substantially
increase leading to higher areas
under Bt. Cotton. Referring
to tangible benefits accrued
to cotton growers because of
Bt. Cotton, Dr. Gadwal stated
that on an average the cotton
growers have stood to gain about
30%. In some cases gains were
about 10-15% whereas in some
cases they were as high as 70%.
Referring to alleged cases of
loss of cotton crop due to Bt.
Cotton in Andhra Pradesh and
some cotton farmers committing
suicides, Dr. Gadwal stated
that those complaints were unfounded.
Shri Subodh Kumar, Textile
Commissioner, brought the attention
to guidance given by the cotton
experts from B. A. College of
Agriculture, Anand (Gujarat)
to the cotton farmers at the
Kissan Melas organized in Gujarat.
He stated that we should convey
this to cotton farmers in other
States as well so as to reduce
the cost of cultivation. He
also drew the attention to tangible
gains accrued to cotton farmers
covered under the Project in
Maharashtra. He observed that
while productivity was higher
by 31% in rain-fed areas vis-à-vis
productivity in non-project
areas, during the same year,
the same was higher by 75.9%
in irrigated areas. He also
observed that while productivity
in Samudrapur Village (Maharashtra)
was higher by only 4%, there
was substantial reduction in
the cost of cultivation (32.6%)
in Samudrapur Village fully
compensating for limited gains
in productivity. He also advised
the Committee that considerable
work can be done before sowing.
He further added that field
visits should be properly planned
in advance and a chart of field
visits should be prepared well
in advance keeping in mind crucial
phases of crop development,
when expert's guidance would
be very essential.
Referring to Demonstration
and Observation Plots in Maharashtra,
Shri Subodh Kumar, Textile Commissioner
suggested that cotton farmers
from non-project areas should
be brought to see Demonstration
Plots so that gains realized
on Demonstration Plots reach
to cotton farmers who are not
covered under the Project. He
also suggested that we should
come out with a booklet highlighting
gains obtained in project areas
for the benefit of other farmers
in their local language and
in a manner that they could
understand the benefits accrued
due to adoption of New Agronomic
Practices.
Shri Subodh Kumar also appreciated
training provided to pickers.
He also observed that we were
doing ill-service by talking
of gains provided by Bt. Cotton
in terms of averages. He suggested
that Seed Producing Companies
while giving details of gains
in terms of higher yields should
also give details of cases in
which Bt. Cotton failed to give
higher yields. This will provide
complete picture to the cotton
farmer, who would then decide
whether to go for Bt. Cotton
or not.
Dr. S. Sreenivasan, Director,
CIRCOT while participating in
the discussions clarified that
gains in yield due to Bt. Cotton
cannot be more than 15 to 20%
since Bt. Technology is designed
to save cotton bolls from Boll-Worm.
He also expressed concern regarding
indiscriminate extension of
Bt. Cotton to innumerable hybrids
without going into quality of
base material.
Meeting thus concluded with
a Vote of thanks to the Chair.
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