It has not been a very good year for the cotton growers of Kalahandi. The large area under cotton cultivation, notwithstanding, growers in Kalahandi are worried over getting the right price against their yield.
Errant weather condition in the kharif season has adversely affected cotton yield in many parts of the district. This year, 42,813 ha has been covered under cotton which is 17 per cent more than the coverage in 2011-12. Last year’s coverage was 39 pc more than 2010-11.
Due to delayed but continuous rains, earthing and hoeing operations for cotton crop could not be done properly affecting growth. Farmers are now apprehensive of low yield.
“The total yield of cotton is expected to be around 4,80,000 quintals this time,” Subject Matter Specialist-Cotton (SMS-COTTON), Narayan Upadheya, said, adding that adverse weather conditions have affected cropping works in many areas.
Sources said it was decided to sell cotton in four regular mandis of Regulated Marketing Committee (RMC) at Karlapada, Utkella, Biswanathpur and Utchla, besides three temporary mandis at Gudipata, Panimonda and Tuting.
Though cotton mandis started functioning from November 26, poor transaction has worried the farmers further. The first mandi opened at Utkella on November 26, but only 42 quintals of cotton were sold. The MSP has
been fixed at `3900 per quintal. So far, only eight mandis - five at Utkella and three at Karlapada - could be opened and only 840 quintals of cotton sold. And the mandis that have been opened lack basic facilities like rest sheds, weigh-bridge machines, storage houses and ginning and pressing facilities.
Farmers alleged that participation of Cotton Corporation of India has been lacking which is why they are not getting good price for the crop. Most of the farmers are storing their produce at home now waiting for congenial atmosphere in the mandis.
Cotton cultivation was initiated in Kalahandi in the 70s and it brought in new horizons. Over the years, it turned out to be the major cash crop. Apparently, Kalahandi was a paddy growing area till agricultural scientists introduced cash crops like cotton, onion and pulses. Over the years, the coverage of area under cotton increased from 2223 ha in 1995-96 to 42,813 ha, the highest in the State so far.