Cotton acreage in Xinjiang Province is set to experience a major decline in the years ahead. According to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the province planted 1,782,600 hectares to cotton in 2007/08; but over the next 3 to 5 years cotton acreage should be reduced to less than 1,333,333 hectares. Former cotton acreage will then be converted to grain and forage grass production, which, of course, is needed to support Xinjiang's booming dairy and food industries. The NDRC goal is to increase the province's wheat acreage to 733,333 hectares, with corn acreage targeted at 666,667 hectares. This planned reduction in cotton acreage is over 25 percent from 2007/08 levels, resulting in substantial losses in cotton production, which will cause major ramifications throughout China.
