Farmers rejoice over govt's decision to lift ban on cotton export

Mar 11, 2012

RAJKOT: Cotton growing farmers and ginners in Saurashtra celebrated after Central government on Sunday said it has decided to lift the ban on cotton exports, which was imposed last week.

Farmers and ginners had protested against the government's move which they had termed it as anti-farmers. The state government, too, had protested strongly against the decision as Gujarat happens to be a major cotton producing state. Gujarat is expected to produce nearly 1.10 crore bales of cotton this season.

Ginners across Gujarat and in several others states had shut down operations on Saturday in protest against the government decision.

"We have decided to end our strike as the export ban has been lifted. However, we fear that a cap on export might be introduced. Also several export commitments were made just days before the ban was announced which might be scrapped," said Dilip Patel, president, All Gujarat Cotton Ginners Association (AGCGA).

"We welcome the government's decision to remove the ban on export. It would save hundreds of farmers from falling into a debt trap. Now, farmers will be able to get competitive price for their produce," said Bharat Wala, president, Saurashtra Ginners' Association.

"We are meeting on Monday morning and then decide on the future course of action. This is because we are yet to get the copy of government's decision," Wala said, adding that the ban would have hit hard the farmers and also over 580 ginning units in Saurashtra.

"The price of cotton rose suddenly after the government announcement. On Sunday afternoon, ginners came to our village and purchased cotton at the price of Rs 810 per 20 kg, up from earlier rate of Rs 750," said Lalit Vachhani, a farmer from Bhukhi village in Dhoraji taluka of Rajkot district.

Meanwhile, Union commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma said in New Delhi that the government has decided to lift the ban on cotton exports.

"Well, the matter of cotton export has been discussed. The Group of Ministers had also met. Earlier, the MPs from Gujarat had met the Prime Minister. A balanced view has been considered by the Group of Ministers to roll back the ban and a formal order will be made public tomorrow by the government," he added.