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The rupee opened 46 paise stronger against the dollar at 94.92.On Wednesday, the Indian rupee opened at 94.92 per dollar, registering a gain of 46 paise over its previous close of 95.38.On August 5, 2026, the BSE Sensex opened with gains and was trading around 78,835.78, up approximately 0.52%.Read More :-Advanced Technology Vital for Cotton

Advanced Technology Essential for India's Competitiveness in Cotton: Dr. ParodaNew Delhi: Expressing concern over India's growing import dependence in the cotton sector, eminent agricultural scientist Dr. R.S. Paroda has stated that promoting advanced agricultural technologies, biotechnology, and science-based policies is crucial to maintaining global competitiveness.Reacting to recent estimates by the Cotton Association of India (CAI), Dr. Paroda noted that the Indian cotton industry is facing several structural challenges. He emphasized the need for a long-term strategy to boost productivity, improve farmers' incomes, and strengthen the textile value chain.According to the CAI, India's cotton imports could reach approximately 6 million bales in the 2025-26 season, while exports are projected to decline to around 1.5 million bales. Domestic consumption estimates have been raised to 34.8 million bales, reflecting the widening gap between production and demand.Dr. Paroda stated that while India has long played a significant role in the global cotton market, challenges regarding productivity and competitiveness are mounting. He suggested that the sector could be strengthened through the adoption of new agricultural technologies and a transparent, science-based regulatory framework.He pointed out that several major cotton-producing nations have improved productivity through modern agricultural techniques and biotechnology-based solutions. Indian farmers, too, should have better access to scientifically proven new technologies.Dr. Paroda highlighted that the cotton sector supports the livelihoods of around 7 million farmers and provides vital raw material for the country's textile industry. He noted that improving productivity would not only boost farmers' incomes but also strengthen the entire cotton value chain.Describing the Cotton Mission as a positive step, he added that attention must also be paid to the role of advanced agricultural technologies within it. He said that India can further strengthen its position in the global cotton sector by promoting science-based policies and innovations.read more :- Nuvama Sees MMF Demand Rising

Declining Cotton Supply to Drive Demand for Man-Made Fibers: NuvamaNew Delhi: The continuous decline in India's cotton surplus is putting pressure on raw material availability for the textile industry. Consequently, demand for man-made fibers (MMF) is expected to rise in the coming years, likely accelerating investment and capacity expansion in this sector. This projection is made in a report by Nuvama Institutional Equities.According to the report, India's cotton market is shifting from a surplus position towards balanced supply. Cotton production is estimated to drop from 6.31 billion kg in the 2021 cotton season (CS) to approximately 4.95 billion kg in CS26. Meanwhile, cotton imports have risen from 0.26 billion kg to nearly 0.80 billion kg during the same period.Conversely, a sharp decline has been recorded in cotton exports. Exports are projected to fall from 1.28 billion kg in CS21 to around 0.20 billion kg in CS26. The report attributes the increased supply pressure in the cotton market to limited domestic availability and shifts in global demand.This shift has also impacted cotton prices. Prices for Shankar-6 cotton surged from ₹110 per kg in CS21 to ₹221 per kg in CS23. Although prices subsequently moderated to around ₹155 per kg, India's traditional price advantage has significantly eroded.Nuvama noted that the global cotton trade is also undergoing changes. Spinning mills in Bangladesh have emerged as major buyers of Indian raw cotton, while India is increasing imports of superior-quality staple cotton from the US and Australia due to insufficient domestic production.The report states that the margin regarding raw material availability for the spinning industry is steadily shrinking. Spinners may face increased margin pressure during years with poor harvests. However, for the textile industry, this shift could boost MMF-based production, and companies will need to diversify their fiber blends.According to Nuvama, India has long been a surplus producer offering cotton at prices 8–11% lower than the global market, but this competitive advantage has now largely eroded. The report notes that the parity between domestic and global cotton prices in FY26 has been primarily due to a temporary waiver of import duties.According to the report, the import duty waiver has been extended for a limited period. Nuvama believes this situation indicates that the government's primary focus has been on supporting farmers' incomes; meanwhile, to enhance their competitiveness, textile mills will need to shift towards alternative fiber sources.read more :- Cotton Sowing Tops 103.54 Lakh Ha

Cotton Sowing Reaches 103.54 Lakh Hectares by July 31; Oilseed Acreage IncreasesAccording to Kharif sowing data released by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for the period ending July 31, 2026, cotton sowing in the country has covered 103.54 lakh hectares. This is 2.52 lakh hectares less than the 106.06 lakh hectares recorded during the same period last year. Meanwhile, sowing has been completed on approximately 82.5% of the normal sown area of 125.51 lakh hectares.Concurrently, total oilseed sowing has been recorded at 172.32 lakh hectares, an increase of 1.19 lakh hectares compared to the 171.13 lakh hectares sown last year. This indicates that the acreage for oilseed crops this season has improved relative to the previous year.Among oilseed crops, soybean accounted for the largest area at 117.68 lakh hectares, which is 0.84 lakh hectares less than the 118.52 lakh hectares recorded last year. However, the decline has been marginal, and soybean continues to make the largest contribution to the total oilseed area.Additionally, groundnut sowing stood at 43.06 lakh hectares, up by 1.16 lakh hectares from last year's 41.90 lakh hectares. Sesame acreage was 9.27 lakh hectares, an increase of 1.10 lakh hectares over the previous year's 8.17 lakh hectares. Meanwhile, sunflower acreage stood at 0.98 lakh hectares, marking an increase of 0.40 lakh hectares compared to the 0.58 lakh hectares recorded last year.On the other hand, castor sowing stood at 1.13 lakh hectares, a decrease of 0.66 lakh hectares from the 1.79 lakh hectares recorded last year. The acreage for Niger also saw a marginal decline to 0.10 lakh hectares, while the area under other oilseed crops was recorded at 0.10 lakh hectares.With the monsoon becoming active across most parts of the country, further changes may be observed in the final sowing figures for cotton and oilseeds in the coming weeks. Currently, the total oilseed acreage exceeds that of the previous year, whereas the area under cotton and soybean remains lower compared to last year.read more :-Rupee slips 4 paise to close at 95.38 against US dollar

The Indian rupee weakened by 4 paise to settle at 95.38 against the US dollar on Tuesday, weighed down by subdued market sentiment.The domestic currency opened at 95.34 and remained under pressure throughout the trading session before ending at 95.38, down 4 paise from its previous close.Meanwhile, equity markets ended lower, with the Sensex declining 210.08 points, or 0.27 percent, to close at 78,428.95. The Nifty dropped 159.40 points, or 0.64 percent, to settle at 24,614.90.Market breadth remained nearly balanced, with 2,030 shares advancing, 2,037 declining, and 174 remaining unchanged.read more :- Rupee Opens Flat at 95.34 Against US Dollar

The rupee opened unchanged at 95.34 per dollar.The Indian stock market saw a mixed start to the session, with the two benchmark indices moving in opposite directions during early trade. The BSE Sensex rose by 120.46 points (0.15%) to reach 78,759.49, while the Nifty 50 fell by 171.45 points (0.69%) to 24,602.85.read more :- The rupee fell by 20 paise to close at 95.34.

The Indian rupee depreciated by 20 paise to settle at 95.34 against the US dollar on Monday.After opening at 95.14, the rupee traded in a weaker range throughout the session and eventually settled at 95.34, marking a decline of 20 paise from its previous closing level.Stock Market Highlights: Indian equity benchmarks opened and closed in the green on Monday. At the open, Sensex was up 500 points while Nifty gained 150 points. At the close, Sensex was up 544 points while Nifty gained 390 points.read more :- Shipki La Border Trade Resumes

India-China border trade resumes via Shipki La after 6 years; first batch of 16 traders departsCross-border trade between India and China via the Shipki La pass in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district has resumed after a hiatus of six years. This historic Silk Route, connecting India to Tibet, has long been a vital corridor for border trade. The resumption of trade is expected to boost economic activity in border areas and create new opportunities for local traders.Himachal Pradesh's Revenue and Horticulture Minister, Jagat Singh Negi, flagged off the first batch of 16 Indian traders on Monday. He stated that trade between India and China would currently operate under a barter system, involving the exchange of goods rather than currency. Under the established guidelines, traders are required to return to India within 72 hours.On this occasion, the Minister also inaugurated the modern 'Chhuppan Trade Mart,' established to facilitate cross-border trade in the Shipki La region. He noted that this facility would provide essential infrastructure for traders and help streamline border trade operations.The Minister urged traders to adhere to the import-export regulations set by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry with complete transparency and responsibility. He emphasized that compliance with rules and adherence to safety standards are crucial for the success of border trade.Under the current arrangement, 72 items from India and 30 items from China are eligible for barter exchange. However, traders have also requested an expansion of the list of tradable goods. In response, Jagat Singh Negi stated that the state government would present this proposal to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Subsequently, the proposal would be forwarded to the Chinese government through the Ministry of External Affairs.The resumption of border trade via Shipki La after nearly six years is viewed as a significant step towards boosting economic activity in the India-China border regions. This is expected to benefit traders in Kinnaur and surrounding areas, as well as lend new strength to traditional trade relations.read more :- Giriraj Singh Backs Kapas Kranti

Giriraj Singh Reaffirms Commitment to 'Kapas Kranti' on CCI's 56th Foundation Day; Emphasizes Boosting Farmers' IncomeChhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra): Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh reaffirmed the Central Government's commitment to making India's cotton sector more productive, competitive, and sustainable during the 56th Foundation Day celebrations of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) held in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, on Saturday. He stated that the government is continuously working to increase farmers' income, improve cotton quality, boost productivity, and promote modern, technology-driven farming. Ministers from the Maharashtra government—Sanjay Shirsat, Sanjay Savkare, and Atul Save—along with senior officials from the Ministry of Textiles, scientists, researchers, industry representatives, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and a large number of cotton farmers participated in the event.In his address, Giriraj Singh remarked that cotton is a vital cornerstone of India's rural economy, agricultural prosperity, and the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). He highlighted that during the 2025-26 cotton season, the CCI successfully executed one of the largest Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement drives in its history. During this period, over 522 lakh quintals of seed cotton were procured through transactions involving approximately 24 lakh farmers, and a sum of ₹41,530 crore was transferred directly into the farmers' Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. He noted that the MSP for seed cotton has been increased by approximately 7 percent for the 2026-27 cotton season, ensuring better prices and income security for farmers.Referring to the recently approved 'Cotton Productivity Mission – Kapas Kranti', the Minister stated that this five-year mission, with a budget of ₹5,659 crore, focuses on enhancing cotton productivity and quality, modernizing ginning and processing infrastructure, strengthening branding and traceability through 'Kasturi Cotton India', and promoting climate-resilient and sustainable farming practices. He stated that this initiative would play a pivotal role in establishing a "Farm to Fashion" identity for Indian cotton, aligning it with international quality standards.On this occasion, the Minister launched the 'Kapas Darshan' bulletin, which will provide farmers with regular updates on weather, market trends, scientific farming practices, quality management, and government schemes. Cotton plucker machines, cotton stalk shredder machines, and contamination control kits were also distributed to farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). During the event, four significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with the aim of strengthening India's cotton ecosystem. These partnerships—involving CCI, ICAR-CIRCOT, GIZ, CITI, ICAC, MERAGO/GEOCLARA, TEXPROCIL, and Manjeet Cotton Pvt. Ltd.—focus on quality improvement, traceability, sustainable farming, and the promotion of premium Indian cotton.Lalit Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of CCI, stated that the Corporation has been safeguarding farmers' interests for the past 56 years through transparent, technology-driven, and farmer-centric initiatives. He affirmed that CCI would continue to work with full commitment to ensure better prices for farmers, promote the production of high-quality cotton, and realize the vision of 'Viksit Bharat @2047'.read more :- Manjeet Cotton Joins Kasturi Mission

Manjeet Cotton and TEXPROCIL Join Hands to Produce 30,000 Bales of Kasturi CottonThe Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), during its Foundation Day celebrations, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Shri B.S. Rajpal, Managing Director, Manjeet Cotton Pvt. Ltd., and Dr. Siddhartha Rajagopal, Executive Director, TEXPROCIL, for the production of 30,000 bales of Kasturi Cotton. The agreement covers the production of 20,000 bales of Long Staple Cotton and 10,000 bales of Extra Long Staple Cotton, reinforcing efforts to promote premium-quality Indian cotton.(SIS)The MoU was signed in the august presence of Hon'ble Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, along with senior Ministers from the Government of Maharashtra, marking a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration for the promotion and production of Kasturi Cotton.(SIS)read more :-Brazil Cotton Exports Surge

Brazil's Cotton Exports to India Jump Over 40-Fold in Two YearsBrazil's cotton exports to India have surged dramatically over the past two years, with shipments exceeding 350,000 tonnes during the 2025/26 marketing year. The remarkable rise has made India one of Brazil's key cotton export destinations, reflecting growing trade ties and strong demand from the Indian textile industry.The export momentum continued in July 2026. During the first four weeks of the month, Brazil exported 127,600 tonnes of cotton, while the average daily shipment volume was 28.2% higher than in the corresponding period of July 2025, highlighting the country's strong presence in the global cotton market.On the production front, Brazil's cotton harvest reached 29.23% completion as of July 30, 2026. Harvesting has been completed in Paraná, while progress stood at 87% in São Paulo, 65% in Mato Grosso do Sul, 62.84% in Piauí, 55% in Maranhão, 43.06% in Goiás, 35% in Minas Gerais, 29.55% in Bahia, and 26% in Mato Grosso.Cotton ginning operations also gathered pace, reaching 14.94% completion nationwide. Ginning was reported at 85% in São Paulo, 80% in Paraná, 20% in Mato Grosso do Sul, 15% in Minas Gerais, 14.21% in Goiás, 14% in Bahia, 12% in Maranhão, 11.2% in Piauí, and 3% in Mato Grosso.The steady progress in harvesting and processing is expected to support Brazil's export commitments in the coming months as global demand remains firm, particularly from India.read more :- The rupee gained 25 paise against the US dollar, opening at 95.14.