CITI–CDRA highlights Indian cotton's impact this World Cotton Day

Cotton, often referred to as ‘white gold’, holds a paramount position in India’s textile industry. It is the backbone of countless livelihoods and a key driver of economic growth, making India one of the world’s leading cotton producers. On this special occasion, CITI–CDRA reaffirms its commitment to advancing cotton research, development, and sustainability practices, CITI said in a press release.

“World Cotton Day is a momentous occasion to acknowledge the tireless efforts of our cotton farmers and the collaborative work of researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. CITI–CDRA remains committed to fostering sustainable practices, enhancing cotton quality, and ensuring the prosperity of cotton farmers,” commented Rakesh Mehra, chairman of CITI.

CITI-CDRA is making waves in the cotton production sector, connected with more than 92,576 farmers across 109,971 hectares of cotton land in the states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Through various initiatives and partnerships, CITI–CDRA is driving cotton productivity, sustainability, and empowering cotton farmers in these regions.

In Maharashtra, CITI–CDRA is collaborating with the Sustainable Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation (SABC) to address the Pink Bollworm epidemic in cotton farming to create awareness and providing demonstrations of PB Knot, a vital tool to combat this devastating pest.

To further support sustainable agriculture, CITI–CDRA has joined forces with Zydex company to offer free demonstrations of organic products to 10 selected farmers in Maharashtra. This collaborative project aims to promote organic farming practices and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.

With the increasing demand for textile products made from Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, CITI–CDRA is taking action in Madhya Pradesh. By supplying micronutrient kits and conducting demonstrations, CITI–CDRA is encouraging ELS cotton farmers to enhance production and meet the growing demand for high-quality cotton varieties.

CITI–CDRA is committed to sustainability, advocating for the preparation and use of biopesticides made from readily available farm and home products. This initiative not only cuts down production costs but also nurtures soil health, promoting long-term agricultural sustainability.

These efforts have yielded significant results, with an average increase of 22.10 per cent in cotton productivity in Maharashtra, 19.08 per cent in Madhya Pradesh, and 19.6 per cent in Rajasthan compared to non-project areas. This demonstrates the positive impact CITI–CDRA is having on the livelihoods of farmers and the agricultural industry in these regions, added the release.

As India celebrates World Cotton Day, CITI–CDRA remains dedicated to fostering sustainable agricultural practices, empowering farmers, and ensuring the continued success of the cotton industry and urges all stakeholders to recognise the indispensable role of cotton in the textile industry and pledge to support sustainable cotton cultivation and research endeavours.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)