Stress laid on education of cotton

Mumbai, Aug 9 (UNI) Young aspirants willing to make a career in the cotton stream were exhorted on the need for proper education in this field by R K Dalmia, senior president of Century Textiles&Industries Ltd and P D Patodia, Chairman of the Bombay Cotton Merchants&Muccadums Association.

The duo made this observation while addressing students at the valedictory session of the second cotton course organised by the Bombay Cotton Merchants&Muccadums Association.

In his speech, Mr Dalmia, who was the chief guest, said the subject of cotton being vast, it requires years of experience to understand its complexities and therefore education about cotton is important.

He further told the students that cotton is one of the largest agri crops in India and plays an imporant role in the form of raw matrial in textile industry. Better cotton cultivation practices, farmers education and evolution of Bt cotton have led to a significant surge in productivity and quality of Indian cotton.

Mr Patodia said cotton cultivation is widespread, spanning across 10 different states, with diverse agro-climatic conditions.

He further informed the gathering that India has the largest area under cotton in the world constituting 29 per cent of the total world cotton area. Cotton production in India has almost doubled in last four years with productivity significantly going up from 398 kg/hectare in 2003-04 to 560 kg in 2007-08. All this could be possible due to sustained developmental efforts taken by Technology Mission on cotton and Cotton Corporation of India and various cotton and textiles bodies.

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