Seed Industry

Leading producer countries of cotton Top ten cotton producers—2011 (480-pound bales)   People's Republic of China 33.0 million bales   India 27.0 million bales   United States 18.0 million bales   Pakistan 10.3 million bales   Brazil 9.3 million bales   Uzbekistan 4.6 million bales   Australia 4.2 million bales   Turkey 2.8 million bales   Turkmenistan 1.6 million bales   Greece 1.4 million bales The five leading exporters of cotton in 2011 are (1) the United States, (2) India, (3) Brazil, (4) Australia, and (5) Uzbekistan. The largest nonproducing  importers  are Korea, Taiwan, Russia, Hong Kong and Japan. In India, the states of Maharashtra (26.63%), Gujarat (17.96%) and Andhra Pradesh (13.75%) and also Madhya Pradesh are the leading cotton producing states, these states have a predominantly tropical wet and dry climate. In Pakistan, cotton is grown predominantly in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. The leading area of cotton production is the south Punjab

Production of Quality Seedlings Lead to Prestige and Prosperity Quality seedlings are essential for good growth and performance of vegetable crops. Hence, the practice of seedling production is emerging as a profession and commercial activity. During the past, as most of the vegetable varieties were open pollinated, farmers produced the seedlings at a relatively low cost by preparing their own nursery beds. However, due to increase in demand for seeds of hybrid varieties which cost much more than the open pollinated varieties, many progressive farmers and agriculture entrepreneurs have taken –up the production of quality seedlings using seedling trays as a commercial activity. One of such enterprising farmers, Mr. Prakash was cultivating finger millets, paddy, marigold and vegetables on 2.5 acres of ancestral land. His crops were plagued with diseases and low yield. Then, he approached Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore to find out the solution to his prob