In 1998-99, CCI proposes to spend Rs 11 crore on various extension activities throughout the cotton growing states in the country.

The MoUs was signed by MB Lal, CMD, CCI and SS Bains, CMD, PSSC and TC Gupta, MD, HSDC in presence of the union textile minister, Kashiram Rana and secretary, textiles, Shyamal Ghosh.

CCI will finance the production cost of certified seeds in Punjab at a cost of Rs 14.65 lakh. This programme will be in addition to the production of certified seeds by PSSC on its own.

According to the MoU signed with HSDC, 3,500 quintal of cotton seeds of three varieties will be supplied. Apart from this, HSDC will produced 2,000 quintal of HS-6, 750 quintal of H-777 and 750 quintal of F-846during 1998 kharif season.

The total project cost including administrative expenses would be Rs 10.41 lakh. The CCI will provide Rs 9.40 lakh and the remaining expenditure will be borne by HSDC.

Under this scheme, the CCI will provide Rs 8.40 lakh as premium to be paid to farmers at the rate of Rs 2.40 per kg. The seed growers will also be imparted training under this agreement. The regional manager, HSDC, Sirsa will be the coordinator. Training programmes will be conducted by the HSDC with the assistance of CCS, Haryana Agricultural University, Haryana State Seed Certification Agency and the state directorate of agriculture.

CCI has offered to all the state seeds corporations for financing any additional quantity of certified seeds which they would like to produce, in addition to their own production programme. This is being done to enable the farmers to get pure and quality seeds at a reasonable cost and on time so that the farmers were not forced into buying spurious and inferior seeds fromunrecognised sources.

With a view to help the farmers to get a remunerative price for the produce, CCI makes efforts to increase its turnover by selling cotton generally at cost price or sometimes below the cost price for helping the farmers. A large part of the profit earned by CCI are spent on various developmental activities such as production of certified seeds, village adoption programme on the concept of one village one variety, dissemination of latest technology to farmers and distribution of inputs like seeds and pesticides. During 1997-98, the CCI had earmarked a sum of Rs 7 crore for these activities. CCI is engaged in supplying certified quality seeds to farmers of adopted villages with 25 per cent discount and at cost outside the village adoption programme. CCI also supplies certified seeds at a discount of 90 per cent to the families of the farmers who committed suicide and supplies seeds at a discount of 50 per cent in villages where farmers committed suicide. Quality pesticides of reputedmanufacturers are also supplied to farmers on no-profit no- loss basis.