The World Cotton Day is an international recognition day backed by The World Trade Organisation (WTO). Celebrated on the 7th of October, it was an initiative requested by Cotton-4 (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali) to acknowledge and boost the cotton industry. WTO collaborates with multiple organizations including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) for this event.
The Objective of World Cotton Day
A primary aim of the day is to enhance visibility and recognition for cotton and all those engaged in its production, transformation, and trade. This event is designed to encourage donors and beneficiaries by strengthening development assistance for cotton. It also aims to foster new collaborations with the private sector and investors for the growth of cotton-related industries and production in developing countries. Moreover, it seeks to promote technological advances and further research and development concerning cotton.
About Cotton
Cotton is a kharif crop that needs 6 to 8 months to mature. The sowing and harvesting time depends on the climatic conditions in distinct parts of the world. Given that it requires high temperatures ranging between 21°C and 30°C, cotton is primarily cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical areas. An average annual rainfall of 50- 100 cm is ideal for cotton cultivation. It is worth noting that the crop grows slower when the temperature drops below 20°C and requires at least 210 frost-free days annually. Despite only occupying just 2.1 % of the world’s arable land, cotton supplies 27% of the world’s textile needs.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Climate Requirement | High temperature (21°C and 30°C) |
| Annual Rainfall Requirement | 50-100 cm |
| Frost-Free Days Required | At least 210 days |
| Percentage of World’s Arable Land Occupied | 2.1% |
| Contribution to World’s Textile Needs | 27% |
India’s Role in Global Cotton Production
India is the world’s second-largest producer of cotton after China. Between 2011 and 2018, India implemented a Cotton Technical Assistance Programme (Cotton TAP-I) for seven African countries namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad, Uganda, Malawi, and Nigeria. The program was intended to enhance the competitiveness of the cotton and cotton-based textiles and apparel industry in these countries, which led to significant outcomes and prompted a demand for a follow-up project.
Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)
The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) was established on 31st July 1970 under the administrative control of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. As a Public Sector Undertaking under the Companies Act 1956, CCI safeguards the economic interest of cotton farmers across all cotton-growing regions and ensures a steady supply of good quality cotton to the textile industry in India. The primary role of the CCI is to undertake price support operations when market prices of cotton dip below the minimum support prices (MSP).
