With reference to Extra Long Staple (ELS) Cotton, consider the following statements:
1. It is mostly derived from the species Gossypium barbadense, also known as Egyptian or Pima cotton.
2. It is generally believed to yield higher returns than medium staple cotton varieties, making it more profitable for farmers.
3. It is mainly cultivated in irrigated regions of Punjab and Haryana.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Question

With reference to Extra Long Staple (ELS) Cotton, consider the following statements:
1. It is mostly derived from the species Gossypium barbadense, also known as Egyptian or Pima cotton.
2. It is generally believed to yield higher returns than medium staple cotton varieties, making it more profitable for farmers.
3. It is mainly cultivated in irrigated regions of Punjab and Haryana.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Statement 1 is correct: ELS cotton is mainly obtained from the species Gossypium barbadense, commonly known as Egyptian or Pima cotton. While its origin traces back to South America, it is now predominantly cultivated in China, Egypt, Australia, and Peru.

Statement 2 is not correct: ELS cotton typically produces lower yields compared to medium staple varieties, which often makes it less economically beneficial for farmers. While the medium staple variety yields between 10 and 12 quintals per acre, ELS cotton has a yield of only 7-8 quintals.

Statement 3 is not correct: ELS cotton is primarily grown in rainfed regions of Atpadi taluka in Maharashtra&rsquo;s Sangli district and areas around Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, rather than in the irrigated zones of Punjab and Haryana.

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Extra Long Staple (ELS) Cotton

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M Question 1	⏱ 0
With reference to Extra Long Staple (ELS) Cotton, consider the following statements: 1. It is mostly derived from the species Gossypium barbadense, also known as Egyptian or Pima cotton. 2. It is generally believed to yield higher returns than medium staple cotton varieties, making it more profitable for farmers. 3. It is mainly cultivated in irrigated regions of Punjab and Haryana. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, and 3