Telangana targets cultivating cotton in 75 lakh acres during Vaanakalam

Though Telangana stands second in terms of cultivation area after Maharashtra, the State is largest producer of cotton in the country

Hyderabad: Giving the much needed impetus to the cotton cultivation in the State, the Agriculture department has set a target of cultivating the crop in a whopping 75 lakh acres during the ensuing Vaanakalam (Kharif) crop season. It has decided to extend complete cooperation to cotton farmers and promote the crop cultivation on a massive scale, besides bringing a Cotton Solvent policy to encourage ginning mills in the State.

Telangana cultivated cotton crop in about 60 lakh acres during Yasangi (Rabi) season this year. Though it stands second in terms of cultivation area after Maharashtra, the State is largest producer of cotton in the country. Further, the cotton produced in the State has been already recognised by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) as a top quality product in the country as well as international market.

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Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy held a meeting with the representatives of Telangana Ginners Association at his chambers here on Monday, and informed them that the State government was ready to provide more incentives to the ginning mills in addition to the supply of subsidised power presently. A decision in this regard will be taken after getting a nod from Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao who has been advising farmers to take up cultivation of crops alternative to paddy.

Since the State formation, the number of ginning mills has gone up from less than 100 to nearly 350 ginning mills at present, while another 30 mills are under construction. The number of ginning mills is expected to increase further, due to increased cotton production. Considering the demand for sub-products like cotton seed oil, cake and solvent in the national and international markets, the State government is planning to bring a Cotton Solvent policy.

Further, the Agriculture Minister stated that the agricultural scientists were working on developing a cotton variety which can withstanding the summer heat as well as complete the crop cycle in a single season. If succeeded, farmers will be able to cultivate the crop during both the seasons and could become an alternative to paddy cultivation, he added. He also advised farmers to reduce paddy cultivation and replace it with cotton farming. “There is no shortage of irrigation water to cultivate cotton crop in the State. Farmers must focus on farm mechanisation and reduce depending on labourers who are in severe shortage,” he said.

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