Coimbatore (PTI): Cotton production in India is estimated to be around 309 lakh bales, with the central region producing 176 lakh bales, during 2009-2010 season, according to an estimate from South India Cotton Association (SICA) here.

In its cotton crop report for the week ended July 4, SICA said the production in the Northern region would be 43.5 lakh bales, Central 176 lakh bales, Southern 75.5 lakh bales and other smaller production two lakh bales, with 12 lakh bales loose consumption (not accounted in Statewise production).

While Gujarat would top the production list with 90 lakh bales, followed by Maharashtra 68 lakh and Andhra Pradesh 58 lakh bales, SICA secretary K N Vishwanathan said.

Punjab production would be 19.5 lakb bales, Haryana 15 lakh and Rajasthan nine lakh bales, while Madhya Pradesh output would be 18 lakh bales, Karnataka 12 lakh bales and Tamil Nadu 5.5 lakh bales, SICA said.