| The
ICMF Cotton Development and Research
Association were constituted in
1969 at Mumbai. The objective
of the association is to undertake
and carry scientific research
and all activities for extension
of knowledge to cotton cultivation,
to provide financial and technical
assistance to research and to
advise and provide assistance
to cotton growers. Over the last
thirty years, ICMF-CDRA has been
conducting various schemes for
educating the cotton growers reg.
modern techniques of cotton cultivation.
The Standing Committee on cotton
of ICMF-CDRA was reconstituted
in April 2002. Shri P.D. Patodia
is the present Chairman of ICMF
CDRA.
In the backdrop of the emerging
quota free regime and anticipated
robust growth of the economy,
a record cotton production of
over 232 lakh bales during 2004-05
provided relief and cheer to
the textile industry, as domestic
and overseas operations of the
industry are likely to witness
tremendous growth in coming
years. The area under cotton
also increased substantially
from 76.30 lakh hectares in
2003-04 to 89.70 lakh hectares
during 2004-05. Average yield,
which was stuck at around 300
Kgs/Ha for some years achieved
a quantum jump to 440 Kgs/Ha,
reducing cost per kg to the
farmers and sustaining their
income, in spite of a steep
decline in cotton prices.
All these could be achieved
because of improvement in supply
of high quality hybrid seeds,
increase in area under Bt-cotton
and, most importantly, extension
work undertaken by Central and
State governments supplemented
by NGOs like ICMF CDRA and SIMA
CDRA as well as individual mills.
As per the ICMF CRISIL Vision
statement on textile industry,
cotton yarn production is likely
to double by 2010 and the country's
cotton requirement is likely
to reach 350 lakh bales. Despite
record production during 2004-05,
there is shortfall in cotton
in certain slots, especially
in ELS cotton. As consumption
is likely to increase steadily,
there is a need is to improve
area under cotton and to continue
the increase in yield.
The Cotton Development and
Research Association (CDRA)
of ICMF examined the situation
on cotton front and decided
to supplement government efforts
by adopting a two-pronged strategy
as under:
- To undertake projects on
pilot basis to educate cotton
growers regarding modern methods
of cotton cultivation and
thus contribute to the efforts
for transfer of production
technologies to cotton growers;
and
- To create awareness amongst
concerned government authorities
for making vigorous and coordinated
efforts for enhancing productivity
and production of cotton as
also for improving the quality
of cotton to meet international
standards.
Accordingly, the ICMF CDRA
has been implementing projects
in major cotton growing states.
These projects have been found
to be very useful in persuading
cotton growers to adopt new
technologies leading to increase
in cotton production and quality,
as well as to reduction in the
cost of cultivation.
As a result of ICMF CDRA's
efforts, the textile Industry
is being associated with the
work of the Technology Mission
on cotton (both Mini Mission
I & II which are under Ministry
of Agre and Mini Mission III
& IV which are under the
administrative controls of the
Ministry of Textiles).
- The Chairman, ICMF-CDRA
has been appointed as the
Chairman of the Committee
constituted by the Cotton
Advisory Board (CAB) to evaluate
the New Genotypes developed
under Mini Mission I of TMC.
- He is closely associated
(as a member) with the work
of another Committee constituted
by the CAB for examining de-notification
of varieties/hybrid which
have lost significance.
- As a result of efforts made
by ICMF-CDRA, Industry has
been given representation
on the Standing Committee
for reviewing the implementation
of ICDP schemes being implemented
under MM II. Constant efforts
of ICMF-CDRA to project the
problems facing by the textile
industry on cotton front would
give a right direction to
the Research work on cotton
and would give required thrust
to the activities (Research
and Development) being undertaken
by the Central and State govts.
This would immensely help
all the segments of the Cotton
economy of the country.
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