A Study of Mechanization of Cotton Harvesting in India: Implications for International Markets

Cotton is a very important commodity in Indian agriculture and it has played a major role throughout India’s history. In the year 2010-11, India was the world’s second largest producer and exporter of cotton (FAOSTAT). Lower yields in India compared to the world average are of concern to its policy makers as cotton is important in social and economic aspects of Indian society.  The reasons for lower yields in India have been linked to a lack of awareness about modern cultivation practices among Indian farmers, lack of irrigation facilities, lack of proper timing of field operations and too much dependence on labor to cultivate cotton.  Along with the above reasons, the shortage of labor in some areas of India which are fast industrializing is impacting the profitability of cotton crop. Within this context, a better understanding of the Indian cotton sector and the impact of mechanization on cotton cultivation is needed to assess India’s competitive position in international markets.   

The 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 some of the operations like harvesting. As mechanization of cotton harvesting includes not only the availability of suitable harvesters, but also depends upon availability of appropriate cotton varieties, changing some of the agronomic practices like the seed rate, nutrient application, etc. and finally its economic feasibility in India.  This paper analyses the economic feasibility of cotton harvesting by mechanical means in India as well as the practical feasibility of the adoption of the mechanical harvesting by Indian farmers. This paper utilizes the representative cotton farm models developed by the authors to analyze the economic feasibility of cotton using harvesters and their impact on India’s competitiveness in the international markets.