Cotton is one of the most important crops throughout the history of India and it also plays an important role in social and economic aspects of the Indian society in the present age. Recent technological advances and ...Cotton is one of the most important crops throughout the history of India and it also plays an important role in social and economic aspects of the Indian society in the present age. Recent technological advances and trade liberalization have made India a major player in international cotton markets. In the year 2011-2012, India was the world＇s second largest producer, consumer and exporter of cotton. The increasing role of the Indian cotton sector in international markets is a direct challenge to other major players like the US. Within this context, a better understanding of the Indian cotton sector and the impact of mechanization on cotton cultivation are needed. The overall objective of this paper is to assess the competitiveness of Indian cotton producers and potential implications for India as a competitor in the world cotton market if it mechanizes harvesting of cotton. The results demonstrate that the net income of the Indian cotton farmers will increase considerably with the mechanization of cotton harvesting. But the adoption of the practice of harvesting cotton by mechanical means is possible only if efforts from many private and public agencies come together. In that scenario, the cotton production in India can increase considerably which can impact the international markets.展开更多
文摘Cotton is one of the most important crops throughout the history of India and it also plays an important role in social and economic aspects of the Indian society in the present age. Recent technological advances and trade liberalization have made India a major player in international cotton markets. In the year 2011-2012, India was the world＇s second largest producer, consumer and exporter of cotton. The increasing role of the Indian cotton sector in international markets is a direct challenge to other major players like the US. Within this context, a better understanding of the Indian cotton sector and the impact of mechanization on cotton cultivation are needed. The overall objective of this paper is to assess the competitiveness of Indian cotton producers and potential implications for India as a competitor in the world cotton market if it mechanizes harvesting of cotton. The results demonstrate that the net income of the Indian cotton farmers will increase considerably with the mechanization of cotton harvesting. But the adoption of the practice of harvesting cotton by mechanical means is possible only if efforts from many private and public agencies come together. In that scenario, the cotton production in India can increase considerably which can impact the international markets.
