High density cotton cropping has been tested on 1,000 acres in Telengana this season. The aim is to increase cotton yield. The initial feedback has been encouraging and indications are that the yield would increase to 800 kg per hectare from the average current level of 540 kg per hectare.

So the high density cropping coverage would be gradually increased to 5,000 acres next year. Similarly, in Nagpur, a model of drought resistance cotton crop will be tested. It’s expected to consume less water compared to the normal variety.

With China cutting down on its cotton imports, India has found a new market in Pakistan. In the December quarter, the country exported 16.6 lakh bales of cotton to Pakistan against 3.8 lakh bales in the same period last year. The sudden jump in exports to Pakistan was due to a whitefly pest attack that damaged about 40 per cent of crop in that country.

The prevailing trend in cotton exports is likely to continue for the rest of the year as other countries such as Bangladesh, China and Indonesia are also ramping up their cotton procurement from India. India will study the latest developments in cotton farming across the world and see what can be adapted.