India Solidifies its Place as a Top Producer
April 2, 2009 Newswise
India became the second largest cotton producer in the world two years ago, and annual forecasts by Texas Tech University agricultural economists predict it will remain in that position for years, climbing to 25.3 million acres in the next decade, up from 23.1 million acres now.
“U.S. cotton growers competing with India for profitable Chinese markets are finding a changing playing field as technology and improved productivity continue to push India’s cotton yields upward,” said Darren Hudson, director of Texas Tech’s Cotton Economics Research Institute.
Today, China leads the world cotton production with India and the United States at second and third, respectively. Over the next 10 years, China’s share of world cotton production is expected to decline by 3 percent while India is forecasted to increase by 2 percent.
“Harvested cotton area in India is projected to jump due to the high net return in cotton and high minimum support prices recently announced by the Indian government,” Hudson said.
As a result of the faltering global economy, demand for textile products dwindled and cotton prices began to tumble last fall. In response, India’s government increased the minimum support price it provides its cotton farmers by 35 percent to 45 percent.
India’s production gains are projected to come from both increased areas and improved yields. The upward trend in yield is projected to continue as more Bt cotton varieties are approved for cultivation, as varieties are adopted to a wider range of cotton growing areas, and as utilization rates increase.
“One of the things that has been responsible for the tremendous increase in cotton production in India has been their rapid and overwhelming acceptance of the new genetically engineered varieties of cotton,” said Norman Hopper, Texas Tech’s Associate Dean and Piper Professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
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