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India:Govt to extend all help for cotton textiles industries |
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2004-8-25
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Striking a high note of optimism, the Textiles Minister Shankersinh Vaghela said that over the next five years, cotton textiles would hold a greater export potential than information technology. The Government was seriously exploring ways of strengthening the entire cotton economy, including setting up of an apparel park and popularising ‘Made in India’ brand overseas, he added.
Addressing nearly 200 delegates from across the section of the industry and trade participating in the All-India Cotton Conference organised by the East India Cotton Association (EICA) on Monday, he called upon the industry and trade associations as also corporates enter in contract farming to support the primary producer with small and marginal holdings. The Minister stated that while cotton was turning to be fashionable over the world today, high cost on the other hand discouraged the consumption of this fibre within the country.
Vaghela criticised the cotton processing units (ginning and pressing as well as textile mills) for inadequate quality consciousness, adding that investment in modernisation was an important tool to face global competition.
He urged the private sector to supplement the research efforts of the Government agencies such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in improving cultivation practices and quality.
The Textile Commissioner, Subodh Kumar, in his address said by 2010, conservatively 300 lakh bales of cotton would be required as compared with the current production level of about 170 lakh bales.
In his presidential address earlier, EICA President Kishorilal Jhujhunwala urged all the stakeholders to provide a new impetus to the cotton value chain and suggested formation of a truly apex national cotton council that will take a holistic view of the cotton sector.
"The prospects for 2004-05 cotton crop have brightened due to satisfactory rains in most of the cotton growing regions during last four weeks. Although it is too early to make a correct assessment of crop size, it can be safely predicted that it would be another good year for cotton and textile industry," he remarked.
According to Mr Rajendra Barwale, Managing Director of Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Co Ltd, the area under Bt. Cotton seed this season would be about 12 lakh acres (five lakh hectares) where the yield per hectare is expected to show marked improvement.
The estimated total cotton supplies during 2003-04 would reach 208.75 lakh bales including opening stock of 24 lakh bales, production of 175.75 lakh bales and imports of 9 lakh bales.
The mill consumption was estimated at 149 lakh bales, consumption by the SSI units and non-mill consumption at 12 lakh bales each and exports of 9 lakh bales. Carry-over into the new season would be 26.75 lakh bales. |
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