The Hindu Business Line : Govt to strengthen cotton textiles — To promote Made in India brand; mulls apparel park

The Minister of Textiles, Mr Shankarsinh Vaghela (right), and Mr K.F. Jhunjhunwala, President, East India Cotton Association, at the All India Cotton Trade Associations' conference held in Mumbai on Monday. — Paul Noronha

Mumbai , Aug. 23

OVER the next five years, cotton textiles hold a greater export potential than even information technology; the Government is seriously exploring ways of strengthening the entire cotton economy, including setting up of an apparel park and popularising Made in India brand overseas, Mr Shankarsinh Vaghela, Union Minister for Textiles, said.

He was addressing nearly 200 delegates from across the section of the industry and trade participating in the All-India Cotton Conference organised by the East India Cotton Association (EICA) here on Monday.

Calling upon the industry and trade associations as also corporates to get into contract farming in order to support the primary producer who essentially cultivates in small and marginal holdings, the Minister said that while cotton was becoming fashionable once again all over the world, in our country, high cost discouraged the consumption of this fibre.

Mr Vaghela criticised the cotton processing units (ginning and pressing as well as textile mills) for inadequate quality consciousness, adding that investment in modernisation was an important tool to face global competition.

He urged the private sector to supplement the research efforts of the Government agencies such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in improving cultivation practices and quality.

In his address, the Textile Commissioner, Mr Subodh Kumar, said by 2010, conservatively 300 lakh bales of cotton would be required as compared with the current production level of about 170 lakh bales.

In order to encourage integrated cotton cultivation, a proposal to extend financial support to trade and industry associations as also recognised NGOs through Cotton Corporation of India has been made, he said.

Earlier, in his presidential address Mr Kishorilal Jhujhunwala, EICA President, urged all the stakeholders to provide a new impetus to the cotton value chain and suggested formation of a truly apex national cotton council that will take a holistic view of the cotton sector.

"The prospects for 2004-05 cotton crop have brightened due to satisfactory rains in most of the cotton growing regions during last four weeks. Although it is too early to make a correct assessment of crop size, it can be safely

predicted that it would be another good year for cotton and textile industry," he remarked.

According to Mr Rajendra Barwale, Managing Director of Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Co Ltd, the area under Bt. Cotton seed this season would be about 12 lakh acres (five lakh hectares) where the yield per hectare is expected to show marked improvement.

The meeting estimated total cotton supplies during 2003-04 at 208.75 lakh bales including opening stock of 24 lakh bales, production of 175.75 lakh bales and imports of 9 lakh bales.

On the demand side, mill consumption was estimated at 149 lakh bales, consumption by the SSI units and non-mill consumption at 12 lakh bales each and exports of 9 lakh bales. Carry-over into the new season would be 26.75 lakh bales.