Stung by spiralling input costs and lower land holdings, cotton farmers in Gujarat are setting the stage for the second White Revolution in the state - by setting up their own cooperative. To help them in this initiative, Ahmedabad Textile Mills Association (ATMA) is conducting a pilot project among 5,000 farmers. Under the project, small farmers growing similar varieties of cotton will be encouraged to pool their lands to grow it collectively and share the profits. "Today, the average holding is so low that it becomes difficult for most farmers to sustain themselves against high input costs and low productivity. Currently, the yield in cotton is just around 700-800 kg per hectare. The co-operative society of cotton farmers will be a dream come true for these farmers," said Abhinava Shukla, general secretary, ATMA. ATMA has received consent from several farmers to go ahead with the pooling of their lands for collective farming. "It is a much better concept than contract farming," Shukla added. The association has also tied up with Anand Agriculture University for the pilot project. The varsity will appoint agriculture scientists in around 8-14 identified talukas in regions such as North Gujarat, Saurashtra and South Gujarat. The scientists will be required to train farmers in productive techniques of farming and post-harvest storage. "We are also releasing literature on techniques of farming in form of booklets and posters, which will be distributed among these 5,000 farmers initially. Once it is successful, the model will be replicated across the state," said Shukla. Apart from training, scientists will also study farming and productivity issues and suggest remedies to the farmers. Around 240,000 hectares is distributed among 140,000 farmers, leading to an average holding of about 1.7 hectares. Shukla is of the view that post-project, the issue of low land holding will be solved to a large extent. "Even the yield per hectare will rise by 67 per cent," he added.