``Despite severe shortage of quality hybrid seeds and exorbitant prices of seeds, farmers once again gambled to sow the long staple Sanker - 6. Higher yields and better past resistance made farmers to go for short staple.

Sowing remained static in Gujarat. It increased by 8 to 10 per cent in Maharashtra, while in Punjab and lower Rajasthan it decreased by 3 to 5 per cent and 2 to 3 per cent respectively. Advancement of monsoon seems good. Demand of the cotton seen incresing. Worst is over for the textile, it seems.'' Said Arun Dalal, an eminent broker.

He said that aninteresting pattern is seen emerging. More and more farmers are switching over to short and medium staple cotton, as it requires minimal care. long and extra long varieties like Sanker 4 and Sanker 6 is gradually replacing by Sanker 8 and Sanker 11. Short staple cotton needs less pesticides and fertilizers thus lower production costs. Long staple like Sanker 6 fetches better prices, but it is more vulnerable to climatic conditions and needs good care.

``While the trend helps farmers getting good return on the farming, it would increased textile mills' dependence over imported goods. In southern states too farmers are switching from the long and extra long varieties.In Karnatak too, faremrs are moving away from long staple like DCH 32. It has been replaced by Brahma, a varsity that resembles with Sanker 6. The trend is likely to increased mills' dependence on imported quality cotton, which is also cheaper.'' said a trader.

According to cotton dealer, availability of quality seeds is a serious problem whichneeds attantion. Farmers paid as high as Rs 450 for the hybrid seeds in the current season. Despite paying such a high prices, many farmers didn't get quality seeds. Lack of availability of superioir seeds hampers cotton trade but nobody seems much bothered about it, complained a farmer.

He said, adding that ``government should try to improve availability of quality seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, and easy bank loans. Subsidies or open market operations might give political leverage to the parties, but it doesn't help farmers. If government really wants to make them prosperous, scientific farming should be encouraged, he emphasised.

Meanwhile, prices remained stable. Sanker superior fetches Rs 21000 per bale. Mills and traders who were holding back their purchase in anticipation of further fall in the prices have started their buying operations.

As far as supply and demand are concered, around 161 lakh bale arrived till 30 June, out of which 24.55 lakh bales remained unsold. EICA estimated opening stockof 30 lakh, crop at 162 lakh and import at 8 lakh bales, according to sources.