The conference spotlighted best practices, sustainability, and innovation across the entire cotton value chain: from farm to fibre to factory to fashion to foreign. Key discussions included the importance of sustainability and circularity in the cotton value chain and developing a comprehensive cotton mission for enhancing quality and productivity.

In a significant move, CCI introduced the ‘Bale Identification and Traceability System’ (BITS) employing blockchain technology. This ensures transparency in cotton's quality, origin, and other essential parameters. Each cotton bale will now have a QR code, making tracking its lineage, storage, and quality seamless, the ministry of textiles said in a press release.

The ministry also launched the Kasturi Cotton programme, a certified premium quality cotton initiative with traceability. Overseen by Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council of India (TEXPROCIL) and CCI, ginners nationwide can now produce this superior cotton variant, adhering to specific quality protocols.

Furthermore, the ministry, in association with CCI, Cotton Association of India (CAI), and Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), unveiled plans for the 81st Plenary meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). Scheduled for December 2 to 5, 2023, in Mumbai, the event's theme is ‘Cotton Value Chain: Local Innovations for Global Prosperity.’ The gathering expects over 400 participants from over 27 countries.

Prajakta L Verma, joint secretary, ministry of textiles, spotlighted India's unique standing in the global cotton value chain. She emphasised collaboration amongst stakeholders to ensure India remains a top producer of quality textile products. Shubha Thakur and Rachna Shah, both joint secretaries, stressed the need to enhance cotton productivity, quality, and the textile industry's role in global leadership.

The event also featured an exhibition, inaugurated by the secretary of textiles. This showcase highlighted technological advancements, best practices, sustainable fashion, and innovative uses of remote sensing in agriculture.

In closing, Verma re-emphasised the ministry's dedication to bolstering the Indian cotton industry, in sync with the ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare and global partners.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)