Japan to help Belize revive sea island cotton

18 Feb '16

1 min read

The government of Belize has received $102,000 grant from the Japanese government to resuscitate the sea island cotton industry, according to Belizean media reports. Sea island cotton is said to possess fine, almost legendary qualities that are sought after worldwide.

The funding was given to the Belize cotton industry for the project named 'the improvement of the sea island cotton industry'.

Sea island cotton is a variety of extra-long staple cotton that is grown on a few islands in the West Indies. This variety of cotton is very sensitive and vulnerable to pests, and requires very specific environmental and climate conditions, and hence its production has declined all across the Caribbean.

Presently through advanced engineering, the Japanese have been able to produce quality cotton with more durable plants and hence, Belize is now considered to produce the best cotton in the world.

Six farming families participated in the sea island cotton cultivation project last year and over 40 farming families are expecting to produce 100,000 pounds of cotton in 2016. About 28,000 pounds of cotton has already been produced so far this year. (NA)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India