BATHINDA, Nov. 23 -- The cotton ginning industry, which was once a flourishing agri-business of Punjab, is now struggling to survive due to a sharp decline in cotton cultivation. Ginners separate lint (white fibre) and seed from raw cotton.

Factory operator says for every quintal (100 kg) of unginned cotton, the recovery of lint is 33-36 kg and 63-66 kg of seed. The seed, in turn, is crushed to produce oil and de-oiled cake. Cottonseed oil is used in cooking, while the protein-rich cake is used as an animal feed.

According to industry sources, in 2008, there were 422 cotton ginning factories across the state; however, this number has decreased by 93% to only 32 units that are operational during the current kharif marketing season.

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