Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University has predicted the Masipattam sown cotton price to be between Rs. 4,200 and Rs. 4,500 a quintal in July-August.
This is the period the Masipattam (February-March) sown cotton is harvested. This forecast has been derived at from analysing the cotton price that prevailed in Konganapuram Cooperative Marketing Society.
Export orders
Increase in export orders, if any, from China, Bangladesh and Pakistan may bring positive changes in price, otherwise the price will be stable. Hence, farmers are asked to take up sowing with varieties suitable for the Masipattam taking into account the above forecast.
Tamil Nadu, being the major consumer of cotton in India (47 per cent), produces five lakh bales from 1.2 lakh hectares. Masipattam is a special season for cotton in Tamil Nadu and MCU 5, MCU 7, Surabhi, Suvin and Bt varieties are cultivated in this season.
The Government of India has estimated that the area under cotton during 2012-13 will be marginally lower by around five per cent at 117.73 lakh hectares compared to the 121.8 lakh hectares last year. The Cotton Advisory Board has estimated a crop size of 330 lakh bales and consumption of 234 lakh bales for 2012-13.
To protect cotton farmers, the Government has increased Minimum Support Price of cotton to Rs. 3,900 a quintal from Rs. 3,300 a quintal for long staple cotton.
