CIRCOT introduces lint-based cotton marketing for better prices

Nagpur: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the ICAR-CIRCOT on Tuesday set up three new ginning machines which are likely to assure higher prices to cotton farmers than the minimum support price (MSP). The pilot project was launched at Hinganghat APMC yard — the major cotton mandi of Central India.

The concept aims to change the way cotton is traded in the country beside promoting quality enhancement using best varieties.

Presently, the farmers get rates only on the basis of raw cotton which consists of lint and seeds. The lint percentage is around 32 to 37% while the rest is the seed weigh. The lint is priced at Rs115 per kg while seeds fetch around Rs25 per kg by ginners.

Irrespective of the lint percentage, growers get a flat rate which is Rs5,550 per quintal as on date.

The research body has pushed for marketing the lint after processing — that is segregating the lint from the seed before it is weighed for auction. This will enable growers bringing better quality cotton to get more than the MSP per quintal.

The CIRCOT led by its director PG Patil implemented the project at Hinganghat through its regional Ginning Training Centre (GTC) off Amravati Road. A GTC team comprising principal scientists SK Shukla, SV Ghadge, scientists K Pandian and SS Kautkar along with NGO Agro Plus visited the cotton hub to roll out the project.

Shukla said the aim is to increase percentage of saleable lint to not less than 38%. “Countries like US and Australia are marketing cotton at 42% lint. The three lab model ginning machines have been given by CIRCOT free of cost to APMC. This will facilitate ginning per cent (lint out-turn) for growers,” he said.

He said NGO Agro Plus president GH Wairale played a major role in convincing stakeholders, including growers to go for lint-based auction. APMC chairman Om Dalia, director Sudhir Kothari and Prashant Mohta from the industry too appreciated the concept.

Wairale said a couple of samples were processed before them and the lint percentage varied from the 33 to 35. “Cotton traders are purchasing the yield presuming 33 to 34%lint content at a flat rate of Rs5,550 per quintal. But, after ginning they realize 36 to 42% lint. The additional 2 to 6% lint benefit goes into the pocket of the traders instead of the farmers. This is because of lack of awareness among farmers and the pricing authority,” he said.

Wairale said the NGO had been pursuing the Mumbai-based textile commissioner to adopt lint-based marketing.

He said cotton marketing, too, must be done scientifically as for milk and sugar. “Cotton prices are decided on visual method by looking at staple length, micronair, grade etc. Milk prices are decided on fat %, while sugar cane rate on sugar per cent,” he said, adding new concept will add up to Rs500 per quintal of earnings to growers.