New Delhi: India got the 1st ever Brand and Logo for Indian cotton on 2nd World Cotton Day on October 7, 2020. Following their launch by Textiles Minister Smriti Zubin Irani, now India’s premium Cotton would be known as ‘Kasturi Cotton’ in the world cotton Trade. The Kasturi Cotton brand will represent Whiteness, Brightness, Softness, Purity, Luster, Uniqueness and Indianness.
Speaking on this occasion, Irani announced that to ensure sustainability, integrity and end-to-end traceability of the organic products, the Ministry of Textiles through APEDA under Ministry of Commerce and Industry has prescribed a certification system for organic Cotton which will be introduced in phases in the entire textile value chain. India produces about 51% of the total organic cotton production of the world. Similarly, prescribing a certification system for non-organic Cotton has also been taken up with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) so that usages of cotton can be suitably augmented, she said.
Cotton is one of the principal commercial crops of India and it provides livelihood to about 6 million cotton farmers. India is the 2nd largest cotton producer and the largest consumer of cotton in the world. It produces about 6 million tons of cotton every year which is about 23% of the world cotton.
The minister stated that Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) made ever highest Minimum Support Price (MSP) operation of cotton and was hopeful that during the new cotton season, the procurement under MSP will be increased. “CCI has opened 430 procurement centres in all cotton growing states and payments are being made digitally to farmers’ account within 72 hours,” he informed. Further, leveraging the technology, a mobile app, “Cott-Ally” has been developed by CCI for providing latest news regarding weather condition, Crop situation and best farm practices. Discount of Rs.300/- per candy is being offered by CCI in its regular sale to MSME mills, Khadi and Village industry, Cooperative sector mills to enhance their competitiveness and efficiency. It was also stated that cotton may be used across all dimension of Technical Textiles, she said.
– globalbihari bureau
