Lok Sabha Question No. 1023 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-13
Subject: Cotton Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Anubhav Mohanty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1023

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  DECEMBER, 2022

## COTTON PRODUCTION

1023.  SHRI ANUBHAV MOHANTY:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE क ृ षि एवं षकसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  open  a  branch  office  of  Cotton Corporation  of  India  keeping  in  view  of  the  fact  that  Bhawanipatna  in  Kalahandi district is an important area for cotton production in the State of Odisha and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government is also considering to establish ginning and pressing mills in cotton producing districts of Odisha through the Government assistance or on cooperative basis, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has taken steps to maintain quality control of cotton production, including steps taken to curb the illegal cultivation of Herbicide Tolerant (HT) BT cotton and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government plans on introducing a more sustainable agricultural approach for the production of cotton keeping in view that cotton is a water-intensive crop and involves extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ षि एवं षकसान कल्याण मंत्री

(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a): Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) Limited procures cotton through its Branch office at Rayagada along with 14 procurement centres in 9 districts of Odisha. Since Bhawanipatna does not have basic infrastructural facilities such as market yard and Ginning  &  Pressing  factories,  thus  cotton  farmers  sell  their  produce  in  nearby Regulated Market Yards (RMC) viz., Karlapada & Kesinga.

(b): As  reported  by  State  Government  of  Odisha,  38  number  of  Ginning  & Pressing  mills  are  in  operation  in  the  state  which  caters  the  ginning  &  pressing operations. State Government  is  incentivizing to establish new  units through Mukyamantri Krishi Udyog Yojna (MKUY) to the interested individuals/ cooperatives by providing subsidy to the tune of 40% to 50% limited to Rs. 50 lakhs per Unit.

(c): Indian Council of Agricultural Research  (ICAR) -Central Institute for Research  on  Cotton  Technology  (CIRCOT)  is  conducting  regular  trainings  and awareness programmes of stakeholders to maintain and improve the cotton quality. States have been requested to conduct inspection of cotton seed production fields, ginning plants and conduct raids of the suspicious seed storage godowns to control and  curb  the  illegal  cultivation,  processing,  packaging,  storage  and  sale  of  the unapproved Herbicide Tolerant (HT) Bt. cotton seeds.

(d): ICAR-  Central  Institute  for  Cotton  Research  (CICR),  Nagpur  is  undertaking intensive research and development activities for sustainable development of cotton in  the  country  by  promoting  Good  Agricultural  Practices.  The  Good  Agricultural Practices are passed by the institute with the States for effective fertilizer/pesticides usage and water use efficiency in cotton cultivation.

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