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Why India lagged behind in the cotton race – Aversion to science and technologyIn 1853, Karl Marx famously wrote about how British rule had “broken the Indian handloom and destroyed the spinning wheel”, priced its textiles out of the European market, “brought the twist to Hindustan” and finally “flooded the motherland of cotton with cotton”. Something similar has happened to Indian cotton over the past decade or so. However, in this case it was not due to some grand imperialist scheme, but due to pure domestic policy paralysis and ineptitude.Consider the following: Between 2002-03 and 2013-14, India’s cotton production nearly tripled from 13.6 million to 39.8 million bales (MB; 1 bale = 170 kg). During the three marketing years (October-September) ending 2002-03, its average imports were 2.2 mb which was not even 0.1 mb more than exports. This changed completely in the three years ending 2013-14, with imports falling by half to 1.1 mb and exports increasing a hundredfold to 11.6 mb. India’s production is projected to be 29.5 mb in 2024-25, the lowest since 29 mb in 2008-09. Also, imports at 3 mb will surpass exports of 1.7 mb. In short, we have become a net importer of the natural fibre. A country that had become the world’s No. 1 producer in 2015-16 and the second-largest exporter to the US by 2011-12 is today “inundated” by American, Australian, Egyptian and Brazilian cotton. How did India become a major producer and exporter of cotton? The answer is technology. India has some of the best cotton breeders.This tradition of openness to new technologies and breeding innovations also enabled the commercialisation of genetically modified (GM) Bt cotton hybrids in India. The first of these – incorporating genes isolated from the soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, producing a protein toxic to the deadly American bollworm pest – was planted from the 2002-03 crop season. This was followed four years later by second-generation GM hybrids based on Bollgard-II technology, deploying two Bt genes to provide protection against the Spodoptera cotton leafworm pest.The widespread adoption of Bt cotton – covering nearly 95 per cent of the country’s total 12 million hectares of cotton cultivation by 2013-14 – led to a second revolution of the fibre: if H-4, Varalakshmi and other hybrids helped double the national average lint yield from 127 kg to 302 kg per hectare between 1970-71 and 2002-03, Bollgard raised it to 566 kg by 2013-14.It is not just cotton or Monsanto-Bayer’s GM technologies that are suffering. Other GM crops and even indigenously developed transgenic crops — from Delhi University’s hybrid mustard and cotton claimed to have higher levels of Bt “Cry1Ac” protein expression than Bollgard, to the Lucknow-based National Botanical Research Institute’s whitefly and pink bollworm resistant cotton — have struggled to cross regulatory hurdles, ostensibly designed to protect the country’s agriculture from “risks” posed by their release.read more :-Weekly Cotton Bale Sales Report - CCI

Weekly Summary Report: Cotton Bales Sold by Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) conducted online bidding for cotton bales throughout the week, with the summary of daily sales being as follows:24th March 2025: Highest sales of the week recorded with 17,400 bales, comprising 10,700 bales in Mills session and 6,700 bales in Traders session.25th March 2025: Total 6,700 bales, comprising 6,300 bales in Mills session and 400 bales in Traders session.26th March 2025: Daily sales reached 800 bales, with 800 bales sold in Mills session and no bales sold in Traders session.27 March 2025: A total of 400 bales were sold, of which 400 bales were sold in the Mills session and no bales were sold in the Traders session.28 March 2025: The week concluded with a total of 5,900 bales sold, of which 5,900 bales were sold from the Mills session and no bales were sold in the Traders session.Weekly Total: During the week, CCI sold 31,200 (approx.) cotton bales, successfully using its online bidding platform to streamline transactions and support trading.SiS is committed to updating you in real time on all textile related news.read more :- India Proposes Lower Tariffs on US Farm Imports by April 2

India proposes tariff cuts on US farm imports as April 2 deadline looms In a new development amid US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff threats, India has offered to lower tariffs on import of US farm products like almonds and cranberries, two government sources told Reuters. India agreed upon the tariff cuts on bourbon whiskey and agricultural products such as almonds, walnuts, cranberries, pistachios and lentils in a meeting with Brendan Lynch, the assistant US trade representative for South and Central Asia, a source familiar with the discussion said. Regarding the trade talks, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Thursday, March 27, said that the trade talks are “progressing well”, and a bilateral trade pact is still in progress. However, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry did not comment on the latest development, while the embassy spokesperson in New Delhi said, “We don’t have anything to share on private diplomatic discussions,” reported Reuters.Unlike many other nations, India has been on the front foot to negotiate tariff cuts and is open to cuts on over half of US imports worth $23 billion, Reuters reported earlier this week. Last month, Goyal also said that the two countries can offer concessions and duty reductions, as their economies complement each other. “We complement each other, we can give mutual concessions to each other, tariff reductions and make it easier to export and import between the two countries,” he said, adding, “We have started working on different ideas, engaging with different stakeholders within and outside the government and preparing ourselves for discussions, (which) we hope we will start soon.” In February, India also slashed the custom duty on bourbon whiskey from 150 per cent to 100 per cent. With the bilateral talks, further adjustment in tariffs can be expected soon. Notably, while Trump has consistently maintained that India’s high tariffs preclude special treatment, he has softened his stance over the past few days. Without naming any country, Trump said that a lot of countries will be given a break on April 2. He has also said that tariffs will likely be more “lenient than reciprocal”.read more :-Govt Sets Bt Cotton Seed Price for 2025-26

Government Notifies Maximum Sale Price of Bt Cotton Seeds for 2025-26New Delhi: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued a notification setting the maximum sale price of Bt cotton seeds for the financial year 2025-26 across India. According to S.O.1472(E), issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the Cotton Seeds Price (Control) Order, 2015, the Central Government has finalized the prices based on recommendations from the designated committee.The maximum sale price for a 475-gram packet of Bt cotton seeds, which includes 5 to 10 percent non-Bt seeds, has been set at ₹635 for BG-I and ₹901 for BG-II. The decision aims to regulate the seed market, ensuring affordability for farmers while maintaining a balance between industry interests and agricultural sustainability.Industry stakeholders, including seed manufacturers and cotton growers, are expected to align with these regulated prices for the upcoming cotton season. The government’s move is expected to impact both input costs for farmers and the pricing strategies of seed companies, influencing cotton cultivation across the country.read more :-Rupee Strengthens 20 Paisa Against Dollar, Closes at 85.46

Indian Rupee higher 20 Paisa, Ends at 85.46 per DollarThe Indian rupee on friday higher 20 paise to close at 85.46 per dollar, while it opened at 85.66 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was down 191.51 points or 0.25 percent at 77,414.92, and the Nifty was down 72.60 points or 0.31 percent at 23,519.35. About 1454 shares advanced, 2399 shares declined, and 116 shares unchanged.read more :-PAU Tests New Pink Bollworm-Resistant Cotton Seed

PAU holds field trials to approve new pink bollworm-resistant cotton seedPunjab Agricultural University (PAU) will soon undertake the second round of field trials for pink bollworm-resistant (PBW) genetically modified (GM) cotton in the forthcoming kharif seasons, giving hope to scores of cotton growers facing economic crisis due to repeated crop loss due to pest attacks in the last few years.Scientists at the Bathinda-based regional research station (RRS) of the PAU are engaged in field trials that started last year at undisclosed locations.Strict confidentiality is being maintained to ensure that a genetically engineered seed is sown in confined and controlled conditions and is not exposed to other flora.In 2024, PAU started testing the seeds of Bioseed Research Limited, a Hyderabad-based company of DCM Shriram Group, to examine its defence against the PBW, locally known as gulabi sundi. The pest feeds on the reproductive parts of cotton plants, where the fibre is produced, reducing the yield and quality of the crop.Experts clarified that the outcome of the GM cotton crop trials would take at least three years before the central authorities take a final call for commercial availability of the hybrid.Trials for GM seeds are conducted after approval of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), a central agency, and a nod from the state government.PAU vice-chancellor Prof Satbir Singh Gosal had earlier confirmed to HT about the Bollgard-III trials being conducted on behalf of the GEAC.Bollgard, a Bt cotton hybrid, was developed by Monsanto more than a decade ago, having a remarkable resistance to pests.In 2002, GEAC approved the use of a genetically modified variety of cotton, the Bt cotton, to combat this pest. However, by 2009, the bollworm began to develop resistance to a toxic protein present in cotton.Crop breeder at RRS, Bathinda, Paramjit Singh, who is leading the trials, said on Thursday, that the ongoing project is significant as the pink bollworm is considered to be one of the most destructive pests of cotton crop worldwide and is a major problem for the cotton industry in India, including Punjab, refusing to disclose the outcomes of the first year’s trials of Bioseed citing protocols.“The deteriorating farm situation warranted the need for continued research in the field of GM cotton. Several institutions are working to develop GM seeds to combat the pink bollworm. During the field trials, our team of researchers evaluated different parameters of the crop, including assessing damages from bollworm infestation, seed cotton yield, along with safety of the crop from mice and rabbits. The team is also studying the impact of the crop on soil microorganisms and fauna and assessing if the crop has any impact on other unrelated organisms in the ecosystem,” Paramjit said who played a crucial role in the development of the Bt1 cotton variety by PAU after a patent held by a corporate seed company ceased in 2016.“Field trials of GM crops have strict rules where only authorised persons have access to the areas of tests. During the experiment of the pink bollworm-resistant seeds in 2024, no cotton was grown in the vicinity of the spot where the GM cotton crop was grown. Approval for trials is required to be renewed every year from the GEAC and sanctioned from a panel of the state government where every detail is recorded for review by the experts,” he added.read more :-Rupee opened 12 paise higher at 85.66

In relation to the US dollar, the rupee opens 12 paise higher at 85.66.Indian rupee opened 12 paise higher at 85.66 per dollar on Friday versus Thursday's close of 85.78.read more :-Rupee closed 13 Paise higher at 85.78 Against US Dollar

Indian Rupee higher 13 Paisa, Ends at 85.78 per DollarThe Indian rupee on thursday higher 13 paise to close at 85.78 per dollar, while it opened at 85.91 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was up 317.93 points or 0.41 percent at 77,606.43, and the Nifty was up 105.10 points or 0.45 percent at 23,591.95. About 1628 shares advanced, 2247 shares declined, and 79 shares unchanged.read more :-CCI procured 210.19 lakh quintals cotton worth ₹15,556 cr : Kishan Reddy

Kishan Reddy: CCI purchased 210.19 lakh quintals of cotton for ₹15,556 cr.Telangana, which stands third in cotton production across the country, has received strong support from the Modi-led Central Government with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) procuring 210.19 lakh quintals cotton worth over worth ₹15,556 crore, providing direct benefit to nearly nine lakh farmers in the current crop season 2024-25, said Union Minister of Coal & Mines and State BJP president G. Kishan Reddy on Wednesday (March 26, 2025).In the last 10 years, from 2014-15 till 2024-25, ₹58,000 crore worth of cotton was procured at Minimum Support Prices (MSP), benefiting lakhs of farmers. Every year, based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), the Central Government announces MSP for 22 agricultural commodities, including cotton. The MSP is fixed in such a way that it is at least 50% higher than the cost of production, he said in a press release.In the case of cotton, whenever market prices fall below MSP levels, the Centre steps in through CCI to procure the crop from farmers at the declared MSP, he said, pointing out that 110 cotton procurement centres have been set up across the State for this year’s crop season.The Minister said MSP for cotton, which was ₹3,750 per quintal in 2014-15, has increased to ₹7,121 per quintal by 2024-25. At a time when open market prices for cotton dropped, the Modi Government stood firmly with farming families in Telangana by procuring cotton at MSP on a large scale. The Centre is continuously supporting farmers in every aspect of agriculture—from soil testing, seeds, fertilizers, farm equipment, crop loans, crop insurance, irrigation projects, and storage facilities to MSP procurement, as per the press release.read more :-Rupee opens 21 paise lower at 85.91 against US dollar

Rupee Opens 21 Paise lower at 85.91 Against Dollar in Early TradeIndian rupee opened 21 paise weak at 85.91 per dollar on Thursday against Wednesday's close of 85.70.read more :-India has sufficient cotton supply for upcoming season: COCPC

COCPC Confirms Adequate Cotton Supply for India in the Upcoming SeasonIndia will have an adequate cotton supply for the upcoming season, according to the Cotton Season 2024-25 Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption. The announcement followed a committee meeting chaired by Roop Rashi, textile commissioner at the Ministry of Textiles, where industry stakeholders reviewed production, trade, and quality improvement efforts.Speaking at a media briefing, Rashi highlighted the importance of increasing cotton yield per acre and enhancing processing quality to strengthen India’s position as a key supplier in the global market, Apparel Resources India reported. “The objective is to improve productivity so that foreign companies procuring cotton from India at any stage in the value chain become long-term buyers,” said Rashi.The meeting was attended by representatives from both the central and state governments, the textile industry, the cotton trade, and the ginning and pressing sector. Discussions covered state-wise trends in cotton area, production, imports, exports, and domestic consumption. Lalit Kumar Gupta, chairman-cum-managing director of The Cotton Corporation of India Limited, detailed government initiatives aimed at boosting productivity, including the Akola Model, which promotes high-yield agricultural practices.The committee concluded that current production levels, coupled with import and export trends, will ensure sufficient raw material supply for the textile sector in the coming season. Ongoing assessments will continue to address industry needs and maintain the cotton sector’s growth trajectory.read more :- Indian Rupee lower 3 Paisa, Ends at 85.70 per Dollar