Cottonseed crushing units hamper performance

Ahmedabad. 19 February 2020, Wednesday

Due to the diminished demand of cottonseed and the high moisture content, approximately 3% cottonseed crushing units have been closed in Diwali since last year.

Cottonseed cannot afford to operate in the absence of demand for cotton and therefore only 3 of the 5 Cottonseed Crushing Units in the state are currently operational, said a Saurashtra Cotton, Cottonseed and Cotton Cake Brokers Association official.

The cotton mills get 5 percent of the oil, while 3 to 5 percent is extracted and the rest goes to waste. Cottonseed hollow is used for livestock.

Due to the huge production of peanuts in Gujarat this year, there is a huge availability of peanuts. Due to which, peanuts are being preferred more than cottonseed in animal feed, he said.

Last year, there were complaints of mixing in cottonseed solution. So locals have also turned to other animals for animal feed. The new cotton, which continued till late monsoon in Gujarat last year, was also found to have a high moisture content.