Vidarbha's agricultural situation has changed and its cotton crop is expected to give a record yield. Last year, faced with a drought and the year before, excessive rains, farmers had a hard time. Good harvest though, may not be met with good prices, feel experts. Cotton rates are expected to reign below the minimum support price (MSP) of 4,050 a quintal. Currently, lint is being quoted at 33,000 a bale, which translates into 3,700 a quintal for raw cotton.
Low demand especially from China, is the reason for slack prices, then there is sizeable leftover stocks of last year. The rates may be marginally more than the MSP if not below MSP. The higher yield may only provide a saving grace feel experts.An officer in the state's agriculture department, responsible for gathering field data, said that if there are moderate showers in September and October, the yield may be the highest in the last five years.
Amravati division of Vidarbha, is a major cotton growing area. The recent round of showers has washed away the dry spell in Akola and Buldhana, which were lagging behind. This can be considered one of the best years in cotton. Yields are expected to be higher by around five quintals an acre. The weather, though, has to remain conducive in the coming days and showers have to be moderate in September.
