Despite the higher cost of cultivation and the risks involved, farmers in Tiruvarur district are showing increased preference for cotton. Their penchant for the commercial crop — over traditional paddy — has led to areas under it in the Cauvery delta region touching an all-time high of 7,350 hectare this year. During 2009-10, it was just 560 hectare.
At the same time, the auction of cotton at the regulated markets in the district since June has crossed 1,165 tonnes for a value of ₹5.63 crore. This is besides the quantum and cost realised by cotton growers who sold their produce to private traders across the district.
“Lack of adequate water for irrigation-intensive paddy forced us to think of an alternative crop. We turned to cotton like many others knowing full well the risks involved in raising the crop in Masi pattam. We are doing reasonably well though we are troubled by the price fluctuations due to factors such as rain,” said a cotton grower S. Jayalakshmi of Pilavadi village in Tiruvarur district.
The showers that wetted the district 10 days ago dampened the spirits of cotton growers, who got lesser price for their produce than usual. “In fact, there were three spells of rain in the last two months and they caused a reduction in purchase price. The traders are citing rain and dampness for the decline in price. We fall prey to our urge to sell the produce immediately after picking rather than wait for the cotton to dry a bit,” said a farmer P. Mani (62) of Valangaiman.
Data shows a steady rise in the area under cotton in Tiruvarur district over the years. This year, cotton has been raised on 7,359 hectare, while in 2015-16 it was 5,172. In 2014-15 cotton covered 2,733 ha, in 2013-14 it was 3,620 ha, and in 2012-13, 2,100 ha. During 2011-12, the area under cotton was 1,254 ha, while during the previous year it was 874 ha. During 2009-10, cotton was raised on just 560 ha.
The regulated markets for cotton in Tiruvarur, Kodavasal and Valagaiman have been seeing brisk auctions as many farmers take their produce there to trade directly with buyers through bids.
On Tuesday, at the Tiruvarur regulated market, the highest quote was ₹5,039 per quintal, a substantial amount for farmers. Since June, when the markets open for the season, the maximum price touched ₹5,339 a quintal, official sources said. Since June, a total of 1,095 tonne of cotton has been auctioned off at the Tiruvarur market for a value of ₹5.08 crore.
At the Valangaiman regulated market, 66 tonne has been auctioned for ₹30.10 lakh. And at the Kodavasal regulated market, 54 tonne has been auctioned for ₹25 lakh during the same period.
Last year, between June and October, the three regulated markets effected auctions valued at a total of ₹10.20 crore.
This year, half that amount has been crossed in just over a month, testifying to the growing popularity of cotton crop among Tiruvarur farmers.
