• Linkdin

Gujarat-Africa cotton value-chain cooperation looks promising

30 Nov '10
7 min read

Next, followed a presentation from Mr Matthias Knappe, Programme Manager, Cotton, Textiles & Clothing - International Trade Centre (ITC). Summarising the whole visit, he said he looked forward to cooperation with the Central Institute on Cotton Research (CICR), in training of researchers, joint projects and integrated pest management; capacity building in ginning and reviving existing ginning schools with help from CIRCOT.

Among other joint projects, he looked forward to capacity building of African farmers and ginners in cooperation with GUJCOT, setting up farmer cooperatives and introduction of non-Bt seeds in arid areas. He also looks forward to promotion and branding of African cotton in association with fibre2fashion, cooperation with the Cotton Association of India and establishing direct links with spinning mills.

He also suggested import of new ginning, testing technology, new machinery, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, pesticide- detection/verification kits, etc into Africa and was also keenly in favour of transferring handloom related technology. He also exhorted all present to invest in the African cotton textile sector, including handloom sector.

Next on the agenda was an overview of the Gujarat and Indian cotton sector from Mr Rahul Jitendra, Director - Acme International. Acme, set up in 1996, is an exporter of raw cotton, yarn, fabrics, made ups and garments, with a presence in 35 countries worldwide, with its own offices in Bangladesh, Pakistan & Hong Kong.

He began by giving an overview on the various varieties of cotton grown in India and their intrinsic qualities, along with an analysis on acreage, yield, output and exports from each of the cotton producing states in India in the last eight years.

He than informed about the Technology Mission on Cotton launched by the government in 2000 and its mission to undertake research activities, developing market infrastructure, transfer of technology and finally upgrade ginning factories, and its impact, which helped cotton output leapfrog from just 16.8 million bales (1 bale=170 kg) in 2003-04 to an estimated 29.5 million bales in 2010-11.

To conclude he spoke about the properties of the most exported cotton quality from India and which is grown in Gujarat; Shankar-6, which gives better productivity, soft feeling in woven and knitting fabric, lower contamination and better grade.

Mr NK Sharma, Managing Director of Gujarat State Co-operative Cotton Federation Ltd (GUJCOT), which is the nodal arm of the state government, said that he was looking forward to turning investment opportunities in to realities. He informed by saying that, GUJCOT is ready in helping out with organic cotton farming, since they have the experience to do so, along with setting up a supply chain right from farming to ginning. He also looked forward to trading in or joint ventures in seeds, fertilizers and pesticides with the African countries.

Leave your Comments

Esteemed Clients

TÜYAP IHTISAS FUARLARI A.S.
Tradewind International Servicing
Thermore (Far East) Ltd.
The LYCRA Company Singapore  Pte. Ltd
Thai Trade Center
Thai Acrylic Fibre Company Limited
TEXVALLEY MARKET LIMITED
TESTEX AG, Swiss Textile Testing Institute
Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSllC Ltd)
Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF)
SUZHOU TUE HI-TECH NONWOVEN MACHINERY CO.,LTD
Stahl Holdings B.V.,
Advanced Search