Share of Bt cotton in the total area under cotton in the country may go up to about 60-65% in 2007-08 season from 38-40% in 2006-07 thanks to Bt cotton area increase in the states like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.
The per hectare productivity is also expected to move up further under the impact of the ongoing efforts to accelerate the transfer of technology and the higher coverage by Bt cotton.
Trade sources said cotton output will cross 300 lakh bales (170 kg each) and may even touch 315 lakh bales in 2007-08. Production is poised to set a new record during the year. Cotton output in the states of Gujarat, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh is expected to increase significantly because of the accelerated spread of technological transfer and the further significant rise in the area under Bt cotton.
Along with the bumper crop, raw cotton exports are also foreseen to surpass the new record of 55 lakh bales set for season 2006-07 as Indian cotton was quite in demand especially from China and South-East Asian countries due to the advantage in logistics.
?Export prospects are very encouraging as India is emerging as the second largest exporter to China, after US in 2006-07. Also, Indian cotton may be quite in demand in the current season particularly from China and other SE Asian countries because of the proximity that can lead to lower transport cost, besides saving times,? a leading exporter said.