India's cotton industry is set to receive a significant boost with the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) and the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) pledging support for the government's National Mission on Cotton. This Rs 500-crore initiative aims to enhance cotton productivity, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
During an ICFA-organized roundtable discussion, Dr MJ Khan, Founder announced this collaborative effort, emphasizing on the need to address critical challenges facing the sector. Eric B Trachtenberg, Executive Director, ICAC highlighted issues such as stagnant productivity, pest infestations, and climate vulnerability, stressing the importance of technological and policy interventions.
Trachtenberg warned, India risks becoming a major cotton importer due to persistent productivity issues and outdated hybrid seeds. Devastating impact of pests like the pink bollworm cause annual losses of Rs 3,900 crore, he pointed. Climate change further exacerbates the problem, threatening to destroy millions of cotton bales in key producing regions, he added.
To combat these challenges, experts advocate for stronger biotech interventions, including advancements in the Cotton Genome Initiative and the adoption of genetically modified organism (GMO) solutions. Speakers like Dr Satbir Singh Gosal and Dr M Prabhakar Rao emphasized the need for innovation, research, and improved breeding techniques.
Raghavan Sampath kumar, Executive Director, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) called for enhanced collaboration between the textile-seed industry and suggested an International Year of Cotton to drive reforms. Dr YG Prasad, Director, ICAR-CICR emphasized on the importance of developing climate-resilient cotton varieties and integrated pest management strategies.
The roundtable concluded with key recommendations, including the introduction of advanced hybrid seeds and pest-resistant strains, bridging biotechnology research gaps through international partnerships, advocating for regulatory reforms in seed and biotech approvals, strengthening climate resilience, and enhancing export potential.
These discussions represent a crucial step towards revitalizing India's cotton sector, ensuring higher farmer incomes, and solidifying India's position as a global leader in cotton production. Shreyasi Agarwal, CEO, ICFA, underscored the importance of technology-driven solutions and multi-stakeholder collaboration in achieving these goals.
