CAI seeks government support for drip irrigation and cotton import duty relief

The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has urged the government to provide Rs 500 crore aid to farmers for adopting drip irrigation systems in rain-fed cotton-growing regions. This will address the significant yield gap between rain-fed and irrigated areas, exacerbated by erratic rainfall patterns.

CAI President Atul Ganatra emphasized the critical need for improved water management, highlighting that 67 per cent of India's cotton production relies on rainfall, leaving crops vulnerable during crucial growth stages.

Drip irrigation technology can potentially save 40-60 per cent of water compared to traditional methods. Furthermore, the association has called for the removal of import duties on cotton to enhance affordability.

India's cotton acreage is projected to decline by over 10 per cent in 2024-25, leading to an estimated 7.70 per cent drop in production. This, coupled with excessive rainfall damage, will likely increase cotton imports to 2.5 million bales while exports are expected to decrease. Despite these challenges, cotton prices have shown a modest decline, reflecting a global price reduction.