Lok Sabha Question No. 3756 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Consumption of Cotton
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3756 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## CONSUMPTION OF COTTON

## 3756. SHRI SADASHIV LOKHANDE:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) the total domestic consumption of cotton in the country during each of the last three years, year-wise;
- (b) whether consumption of cotton is likely to increase in the coming year;
- (c) if  so,  the  estimated  production  and  consumption  of  cotton  during  the current year and coming years; and
- (d) the steps proposed to be taken to fulfil the said requirement?

## ANSWER

## ( )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES

(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a): The total domestic consumption of cotton in the country during each of the last three years is given below:-
- P - Provisional

| Cotton year (October-September)   |   Domestic Consumption of cotton (In lakh bales of 170 kgs each) |
|-----------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2013-14                           |                                                           299.55 |
| 2014-15                           |                                                           309.44 |
| 2015-16 (P)*                      |                                                           312    |

* As estimated by Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) in its meeting held on 24.10.2016.

- (b): Yes, Madam.

(c): The production and  consumption of cotton as assessed by the CAB for the current cotton season 2016-17 (1 st October, 2016 to 30 th September, 2017) is as under:-

| Year    |   Production (In lakh bales of 170 kgs each) |   Total Consumption (In lakh bales of 170 kgs each) |
|---------|----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
| 2016-17 |                                          351 |                                                 313 |

During the coming years, it is expected that the surplus of production over consumption will decline gradually due to setting up of new mills and increase in installed capacity in spinning sector.

(d): The  steps taken/being  taken by the Government  to  fulfill the said requirement by increasing cotton production are as under:- i) Department  of  Agriculture,  Cooperation  and  Farmers  Welfare  is implementing Cotton Development Programme with a focus on cropping system  approach  under  National  Food  Security  Mission  (NFSM)  in  15 major cotton growing states viz; Assam,  Andhra  Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya  Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal from 2014-15 with an aim to increase production &  productivity. Under the scheme, thrust is given for transfer of latest technology to cotton growers  through  Front  Line  Demonstration  (FLD)  on  Integrated  Crop Management  (ICM),  Intercropping,  Desi  &  Extra  Long  Staple  Cotton, High Density Planting System.  The scheme is being implemented through State  Department  of  Agriculture  (SDA),  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural Research  (ICAR),  State  Agriculture  Universities  (SAUs),  Krishi  Vigyan Kendras    (KVKs)  etc.    From  2015-16,  NFSM  is  being  implemented  on sharing basis between Government of India and States on 60:40 basis for general  category  states  &  90:10  basis  for  North  East  &  Hilly  states. However, the Central Agencies are funded 100% by Government of India. Besides, States can support cotton development programme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary of the State.

ii) With  a  view  to  promote  Cotton  farming,    during  cotton  season 2016-17,    Ministry  of  Agriculture,  Cooperation  &  Farmer  Welfare  has fixed minimum support price for medium staple length cotton at Rs. 3860/- per quintal and for long staple at    Rs. 4160/- per quintal.

iii) Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) Limited has been entrusted with procurement of cotton from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) to protect  the  interest  of  farmers  by  giving  MSP  to  their  produce  to  avoid distress sale.

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