Rise of cotton prices bring relief to farmers Read more: Rise of cotton prices bring relief to farmers

BELLARY: The farmers in Bellary district are buoyed by the steep increase in price of cotton crops at the global market.
The farmers who had a horrid time when the deluge ravaged their lives in 2009 have a reason to smile with the current price almost doubling from last year's price of cotton. Last year, the price per quintal ranged from Rs 3,200 to Rs 3,500 but this year it has increased from Rs 5,500 to Rs 5,700. The reason for the push in cotton price is said to be the floods in Australia, Pakistan and Bangaladesh.
In Bellary district, during this season cotton was grown in 38,750 hectares of land with the Siruguppa and Bellary taluks growing cotton vastly in this region.
Speaking to The Times Of India, president of Bellary Cotton Association, Ravikumar said, "Since the central government has announced the quota of export in the month of June itself which is too early, it has helped shoot up the price and also the untimely rainfall in the month of October and November has damaged the cotton crop to some extent and this has increased the demand for cotton. Usually, in one acre of land, 15 quintals of cotton can be grown. But it has come down to 10 to 12 quintals per acre due to unseasonal rainfall," he added.
With the huge demand for cotton, the 40 cotton  mills in Bellary district are bustling with human activities. The hike in cotton price has made daily wage workers demand a hike in wages. They now ask for Rs 200 from the usual Rs 100-120 per day.
(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Rise-of-cotton-prices-bring-relief-to-farmers/articleshow/7438559.cms)