Factors influencing cotton production

The spiralling cotton prices and the precarious cotton scenario in the country are threatening the survival of the domestic industry. According to the Agricultural Ministry, cotton production in 2010-2011 is expected to touch 335 l bales. The Government estimates domestic consumption at 266 l bales with export ceiling of 55 l bales.

Winter irrigated cotton sown in Tamil Nadu during August-September covers 20 per cent to total area sown. Rainfed crop sown in September-October covers 65 per cent to total area, while rice-fallow sown in January-February covers eight per cent to total area. The crop sown in February-March, as summer irrigated covers only seven per cent to total area of cotton.

Rainfall during South West Monsoon (2009-10) was 315.3 mm, as against 316.1 mm (Normal rain). In all, 13 districts received deficit rain, which include potential districts of Ariyalur, Perambalur, Nammakkal, Thoothukodi and Virudhunagar.

Rainfall received during 2009-10 was 482.6 mm against the normal of 431.1 mm. There was deficit in potential cotton growing districts, viz., Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Nammakkal, Salem, Vellore and Virdhunagar.

The reason accounts for reduced cotton area during 2009-10 with 1.05 l ha compared to 1.14 l ha in 2008-2009.

The use of poor quality inputs like seeds and pesticides results in low productivity of cotton. This increases of cost of cultivation. Multiplicity of cotton varieties/hybrids leading to rampant mixing is another one of the major problems. Some of the other deficiencies in cotton sector are:

Poor fibre attributes of most varieties, rapid deterioration of fibre quality of hybrids with successive pickings, tardy transfer of agricultural technologies to the farmers’ fields and poor infrastructure at market yards and high trash content in cotton (4-7 per cent).

Wide range of contaminants in cotton numbering over 25 types despite being handpicked from the farm. Hence, awareness programmes, contamination free cotton production, National Technology are being conducted at all centres by SIMA CD & RA.

SIMA CD & RA continues to assist farmers of project areas:

1. Organizing more FLDs of newer technology including newly released Bt cotton hybrids/varieties guaranteed.

2. Soil and foliar analysis of fertility and nutrient status including major and micronutrient requirements are being met with in all the cotton areas to eliminate wastage and improve the efficiency of production.

3. Improvement of irrigation facilities for cotton by introducing and promoting modern water saving systems, rain-water harvesting in areas of excess precipitation in the season. Recycling as well as enabling cotton cultivation in new project areas especially practicing cotton-food crop rotation, drip irrigation with fertigation coupled with plasticulture to be popularized through non-governmental organization like SIMA CD & RA. Proposal has been sent to Tamil Nadu Government.

Challenges are related to transgenic cotton and harvesting the full potential of the technology. Thus far more than 600 Bt cotton hybrids have been approved/recommended by GEAC and 73.3 l ha were under cultivation constituting 80 per cent of total area. The current estimate in 2009-10 showed that it has increased to about 90 per cent. Suggestion sent for involving TNAU and CICR in our project areas as under:

1. Superior hybrids/varieties developed by public research system will not be adopted, if do not have Bt gene.

2. New technology ‘Round up heady Flex’ developed by MMB is to be commercialized in India within 1-2 years. Commonly used intercrop such as pigeon pea, soyabean, maize, jowar, etc., cultivated as a part of risk aversion or sustenance are not ideally suited for herbicide resistant cotton. Need critical examination for socio-economic implications.

3. Poor soil and rainfed situations are not ideal for the performance of Bt cotton.

4. Bt cotton need more water and nutrients and do not withstand moisture and nutrient stress. Farmers need to be educated on water, nutrient and soil management as critical to get the best performance of Bt cotton.

5. Bt cotton to start with possesses higher micronaire and decrease substantially in subsequent pickings. This fast deterioration in micronaire within a short period in Bt cotton of 10 poses problem to spinner to produce consistent quality of cotton.

6. Also majority of Bt cotton have significantly lower tenacity values than quality norms set. Needs serious attention and upgradation in fibre tenacity to suit modern processing system for realization for better quality yarn.

These pre-requirements (for production of quality yarns) could satisfy the international as well as ever burgeoning internal market.

Taking note on this, particularly the future of non-Bt cottons, SIMA CD & RA has made tie-up with Monsanto Mahyco Biotech Ltd., Mumbai, for promoting GKS. After monitoring by four scientists of Monsanto Mahyco Pvt Ltd., Hyderabad, at Kumbakonam and Villupuram areas, we have submitted proposals for registration of GKS, the shortest duration intra-hirsuturm hybrid with Director of Seed Certification. Monsanto Mahyco Pvt. Ltd. also taken hybrid seeds for its performance evaluation.

Cotton cultivation area zoning is essential based on soil profile. Cotton being a long duration crop is difficult to fit in a monsoon dependent irrigated Indian farming system, where the type of crop is decided by the amount of water in the dam. If water is insufficient, farmers grow cotton, if surplus, they go for rice or vegetables. Hence, zoning is difficult in command areas. However, it may be possible to implement zoning in rain-fed areas. Zoning can also help in bringing the Government agencies and private firms to come together for the benefit of the farmer. With pre-sowing seed management, foliar application of anti-transpirants and others, it is possible to mitigate drought and ensure better yield. This programme was suggested to State Cotton Council of TNGT.

Organic cotton cum seed plots of MCU-5, which was harvested (68.5 qtl) in Dharmapuri area. We have initiated action to streamlining the procedure for organic certification of seed for the first time. The co-operation and help provided by Directorate of Organic Certification Department is gratefully acknowledged.

SIMA CD & RA for the first time could produce herbal tonic and egg tonic and distribute to the project areas throughout our State for trial proposed in gasketted containers.

Eventhough we have given a proposal through Commissioner of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu Government for conducting demos involving precision farming, and action has been initiated with ADA, Pollachi for laying out demos. Necessary booklets have been printed to bring awareness among farmers at our project areas.

Improved suvin (seed cotton yield 23 Q/ha, GOT 33.4 per cent, seed index 12.3, lint index 7.6, 2.5 per cent span length 38.6, micronaire 3.6 µg/inch and strength 30 g/tex) seeds have already been supplied for largescale adoption. They have arranged four agreements with farmers of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Proposal for promotion of improved Suvin cultivation costing Rs. 5.82 crores is being pursued by Mr. T. Rajkumar, Vice-Chairman, SIMA CD & RA.

For GKS hybrid (seed cotton yield 2108 to 2978 kg/ha, 2.5% span length 27.1-30.9 mm, micronaire 4.9 µg/inch, strength 21.8-22.7 g/tex), they have started production of hybrid seed. This hybrid has done very well in Thanjavur, Aduthurai, Rajapalayam, Villupuram, Karaikkal and throughout the country as evidenced in AICCIP programme. They have sent proposals to

Director of Seed Certification for registration.

Super MCU-5 (seed cotton yield 25 Q/ha, GOT 36.5 per cent, seed index 11.5, lint index 6.5, 2.5 per cent span length 33.8, micronaire 3.54 µg/inch and strength 25.7 g/tex) seeds developed will be distributed during the current season. Dealers have been contacted and process continues, as non-Bt nature poses problem and not acceptable as reported by project area.

An expert review team was constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. V. Santhanam to assess demanding R&D activities and implementation of new gene technology of SIMA CD & RA. The report was completed during March 2010 itself.

Under the recycling of wastewater and use scheme proposal by the Udumalpet Municipality at Kurunjeri near Ponneri, the Association is being considered on priority basis to supplement R&D efforts. The Municipality Chairman is being continuously contacted to do the needful.

Directorate of Cotton Development, Mumbai, sanctioned funds of Rs. 16 lakhs for conduct of FLDs on production technology in 700 acres on production technology and 250 acres on integrated pest management at our identified five centres for 2009-10. For 2010-11, Directorate of Cotton Development has granted Rs. 5 lakhs for conducting FLDs on production technology.

Department of Agriculture, Chennai, also approved proposal of SIMA CD&RA and sanctioned Rs. 58.30 lakhs for purchase of farm implements, arrangement of farm field schools and subsidy for production of foundation and certified seeds for implementation under MM-II of TMC during 2009-10.

For 2010-11, the State Government has sanctioned grant of Rs. 4.25 lakhs for conducting 25 nos. of farm field schools. Grant for seed production is expected for 2010-2011 within a short period.

There is need to reduce production cost and cotton picker is the major requirement to avoid high cost. The machine will be procured for all five centers.

Works on fabrication of this unit for all five project areas are being attended by Agricultural Machinery Research Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.

Farm field school centres already established are being retained in the villages identified. Books, bulletins and notices covering technologies on production, integrated pest management and precision farming along with flexi boards are being maintained. They are also being provided with herbal tonic and egg tonic as a cheap source for realizing yield and quality.

Cotton – Farm Field School Lesson book – 2011 in Tamil is being printed with case studies on mealy bug, stem weevil and wilt and distributed to benefit the farmers. Books on success stories on cotton cultivation and production with case study on benefitcost (B/C) ratio in case of each centre, viz., Udumalpet, Villupuram, Theni/Rajapalayam, Kumbakonam and Konganapuram and “Nigalvu Padipinai” in Tamil were also printed and distributed to the farmers.

Distance Education Programme: SIMA CD & RA on its own selected 20 small/marginal farmers from Konganapuram, Kumbakonam, Udumalpet, Villupuram and Rajapalayam centers have been provided Production Technology Certificate Course through Directorate of Open Learning and Distance Education, TNAU, Coimbatore during this September month. This helped continuity and sustainability in cotton cultivation. The trainees received certificate on successful completion of training during different crop growth stages.

Considering the expenditure involved, after a very long time, seed cotton procurement (6,578 qtls) was made from the funds of SIMA CD & RA and due to this drastic step, the cost of processing was reduced and premium on seeds spent saved.

The seeds of hybrid GKS produced specifically at Ambarampalayam are being given to our project areas for sowing. They will be producing seeds at the same venue in about 3 acres during the ensuing season.

In order to strengthen research and development efforts to pave way for enhanced cotton production associated with reduced cost of cultivation through better micro irrigation – fertigation and weed management, precision farming facility in about 25 acres was discussed with their Vice Chairman, Mr. T. Rajkumar at the Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Manakadavu. The evaluation of the scientific method will bring the farmers of this region in establishing a good linkage with the industry.

Also, proposals covering Seed Cluster Villages, Gene Technology, Quality Seed Production, Processing cum storage technology, Plant leaf analysis, Seed store quality and the related costing over Rs. 2 crores made with Funding Agency is being pursued. This will help in sustaining their production of contamination free cotton, maintenance of seed quality level of both varieties and hybrids and the first ever organic cotton fibre cum seed production scenario.

* Excerpts from the speech delivered at the thirty fifth annual general body meeting of the Association held in Coimbatore on September 28.