Lack of support, farmland hinder Bangladesh cotton farming: Experts
03 May 24 2 min read
Insights
- Expansion of cotton farming has remained stagnant over the years due to lack of sufficient farmland, manpower and government support, particularly in terms of innovation and investment.
- As such, Bangladesh is still heavily reliant on imported cotton for its RMG sector despite being the world's second-largest apparel suppliers, according to experts.
This is as per some experts, who added with only 4 per cent of the required cotton produced domestically, Bangladesh heavily relies on imports even as officials from the Cotton Development Board (CDB) attributed slow growth to insufficient research, funding, and manpower.
As per reports, over seven years, cotton cultivation increased by just 1 per cent annually, reaching 45,000 hectares.
Despite spending significantly, the CDB only managed a 3-4 per cent production increase.
- International demand keeps Brazilian cotton prices stable
- PFAS threat in water from areas near Bangladesh textile units: Study
- Equal import availability sought by Bangladesh RMG accessories makers
- Surge in Bangladesh freight rates again: Reports
- Inflation in Bangladesh rises to 9.89% in May from 9.74% in April
- Malaysia keen on FTA partnership with Bangladesh: Reports
Targeting 1 lakh hectares by 2030, the CDB faces a daunting timeline even as limited progress in research, coupled with vacancies and staffing shortages at CDB research centres, hinder efforts.
Experts emphasised the need for government investment and policy support to boost production.
Mongsanue Marma of the Hill Cotton Research Centre stressed the importance of skilled researchers for significant production increases even as DMM Abed Ali from the CDB’s Cotton Research, Training, and Seed Multiplication Farm underscored the impact of resolving manpower shortages on production while another expert suggested integrating cotton with cash crops to improve yields.
Meanwhile, executive director of the CDB, Fakhre Alam Ibne Tabib, reportedly acknowledged the challenge of balancing cotton production with limited farmland and a large population while plans to reduce tobacco farming and expand cotton cultivation are underway.
SM Mannan Kochi, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) acknowledged the quality gap between local and imported cotton even as he urged collaborations among agricultural researchers for solutions.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)
Popular News
|
India's Finance Ministry to revamp duty drawback disbursement process |
|
AAFA, NCTO request PPE clarification for H 7356A in Rhode Island state |
|
China's international trade surges in April 2024 |
|
Intertextile & Yarn Expo Shenzhen to showcase eco-friendly innovations |
|
The LYCRA Company & Killer Jeans partner to expand in Indian market |
|
Bangladesh 3rd largest apparel supplier for Malaysia this year |