This was stated by Union Textiles Minister Kashiram Rana, while inaugurating cotton purchase at Bodeli for 1998-99 on Tuesday.

Rana said as compared to last year, this year the CCI had set a target of purchasing more cotton. He said CCI representatives would be present at every marketing yard when cotton is purchased.

Bodeli is considered to be Asia's biggest centre in terms of cotton trade. On Tuesday, cotton was purchased at Rs 9,325 per four and a half quintal.

Reiterating the measures taken, Rana said 58 per cent of the total budget was allocated for agricultural sector in the current financial year. Referring to the Cotton Technology Mission, set up at a cost of Rs 600 crore, he said the mission was aimed at increasing cotton production and improving its quality. The mission would also improve the ginning and pressing processes, he added.

Farmers would have to strive to meet world standards of production in terms of per acre, he said, adding they would have to grow good quality cotton at low rates to increase exports. Announcing that new cotton policy would come into force from the next financial year, Rana stressed the need to increase use of cotton per head in the country. He assured to make immediate payment for setting up the CCI godown in Bodeli.

Speaking on the occasion, CCI managing director M B Lal assured that arrangements would be made to open accounts in banks other than the State Bank to enable farmers get quick returns of their produce. He was responding to difficulties narrated by farmers about getting payments.

He said the CCI had adopted 38 villages in 1997-98 and 41 villages in 1998-99 to improve the quality of cotton. CCI director Vinod Patel, managing director of Central Gujarat Cotton Federation Kishor Shah and Agricultural Produce Market Committee, Bodeli chairman Arvind Patel, among others, attended the function.