Encouraged by the possibility of a good monsoon this year, farmers in Gujarat are planning to grow cotton and oilseeds in a big way during the forthcoming kharif season.
Experts believe that if monsoon remains normal, cotton acreage in the state could go up by as much as 20% as compared to the previous year, while area under soyabean would also projected to rise. Seed companies across the state have already started receiving inquiries for cottonseed from farmers.
Cotton, which has been a hot crop amongst the Gujarat farmers, had lost its importance in last two years because of widespread drought.
Officials said as the total area under cotton shrunk last year, because of bad monsoon, farmers were apprehensive of planting cotton this year. But the prediction of good and early monsoon has once again generated interest in the crop.
Seeds India director, Janak Peshrana said, ?Large number of farmers have already approached us for the cotton seeds. On basis of the inclination of the farmers towards cotton, I can assume that area under cotton will exceed 29% in 2010-2011 in comparison to the previous season. Oil seeds like groundnut, castor seeds and even soyabean are in good demand among farmers.?
Apart from groundnut and castor seeds, soyabean has started attracting interest of Gujarat farmers, and it is emerging as a major crop. ?Cultivation of soyabean is catching momentum. In comparison to last year many farmers have come forward and enquired about soyabean seeds. There are no exact figures, but yes on the basis of current situation, soyabean soon will secure its place amongst the top five crops grown in Gujarat,? Peshrana added.