India is the 11th largest economy in the world. Although this may be exciting news, reality is that there are about 6 crores and 52 lakh families in poverty. India's per capita GDP is 3 to 4 times less than that of China. The Indian economy is dependent on agriculture and manufacturing. Within manufacturing, textiles and automobiles play an important role in giving jobs to the skilled, semi-skilled, and rural people. There are both opportunities and constraints. Important constraints are: 1) Raw material; 2) Power and 3) Skilled workforce. The emerging opportunity within the textile sector lies in growing the fragmented and nascent technical textiles sector.
Among the constraints, cotton is of paramount importance. The western hemisphere has not started planting cotton for the 2011 season, and the world is facing severe shortage of the white fluff. A good discussion on the cotton scenario will be of help to the Indian textile industry.
Cotton Scenario: Revised Indian Crop Estimate for 2010-11 Released
On Saturday, February 26th, India's Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) met and produced the revised estimate for the 2010-11 cotton season.
According to the latest estimate by CAB, India's cotton production for 2010-11 (October 2010- September 2011) is expected to be 31.2 million bales (170 kg each). This is 1.7 million bales less than CAB's earlier estimate on January 6th. In January, CAB estimated the 2010-11 production to be 32.9 million bales (170 kg each).
India is now expected to plant 11.16 million hectares of cotton this season, and the all India average yield is expected to be 475.23 kg per hectare. The Central Zone comprising the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh is expected to produce 20.1 million bales. The Southern Zone comprising the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu is expected to produce 6.8 million bales.
The three largest cotton-producing states are Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. Gujarat is estimated to produce 10.2 million bales, Maharashtra is estimated to produce 8.2 million bales, and Andhra Pradesh is estimated to produce 5.3 million bales.
The author is associated with Texas Tech University, USA
The views presented in the article are of the author; based on the happenings in the industry
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