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‘Demand to Completely Remove Import Duty on Cotton’A new study released by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) calls for the complete elimination of the 11% import duty currently levied on cotton.Titled "Economic Analysis of Cotton Supply, Pricing, and Trade Policy in India," the report states that the import duty is adversely affecting the competitiveness of the country's textile and garment sectors. According to the report, it is crucial for the industry to have easy and reliable access to imported cotton during periods when domestic production is low.The study, jointly prepared by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) and Gherzi, notes that the import duty on cotton was temporarily suspended from August to December 2025 but was subsequently reimposed effective January 1, 2026.The report points out that since the duty was first implemented in 2021, temporary relief has been granted twice; however, the industry is now demanding its permanent removal. The industry argues that India's key competitor nations—Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Pakistan—do not impose such restrictions on cotton imports.The study also suggests establishing a Strategic Reserve for cotton, modeled after China's approach. According to the report, textile and apparel exports declined by 2.2% in the fiscal year 2025-26, falling to $35.79 billion.Speaking at a media briefing held in Coimbatore on Thursday, CITI Chairman Ashwin Chandran stated that the Gherzi-ICAC report presents a practical and detailed roadmap for the textile and apparel industry to achieve its target of $350 billion by 2030.Meanwhile, K. Selvaraju, Secretary General of the Southern India Mills Association (SIMA), noted that the area under cotton cultivation has shrunk by approximately 20% over the past three years, and productivity levels in India remain significantly low. He stated that to achieve the 2030 target, the industry would need to grow at an annual rate of approximately 15%. However, under current circumstances, this appears to be a challenging task.He also noted that freight and logistics costs have risen due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Furthermore, shortages of gas, along with rising prices of oil-based raw materials, dyes, and chemicals, have placed additional pressure on the textile and garment industry.read more :- The Rupee higher by 10 paise to close at 94.48 per dollar.

On Friday, the Indian Rupee higher by 10 paise to close at 94.48 per dollar, while it had opened at 94.58 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was down 516.33 points or 0.66 percent at 77,328.19, and the Nifty was down 150.50 points or 0.62 percent at 24,176.15. About 1988 shares advanced, 2048 shares declined, and 170 shares unchanged.

Cotton Sowing Set to Decline in Khandesh; Area Feared to Drop Below 8 Lakh HectaresFor the second consecutive year, the area under cotton cultivation in the Khandesh region is expected to witness a decline. Estimates suggest that the total cotton sowing area in the region this year could remain below 8 lakh hectares. Jalgaon district is projected to account for the largest share of this total, with cotton cultivation estimated to cover approximately 4.75 lakh hectares. As the district with the largest cotton-growing area in the state, Jalgaon is expected to retain its leading position this year as well.However, alongside Jalgaon, the districts of Dhule and Nandurbar are also observing a continuous decline in the area dedicated to cotton cultivation.    In Jalgaon district, the cotton cultivation area stood at 5.67 lakh hectares in 2022; this figure dropped to 5.54 lakh hectares in 2023 and further to 5.11 lakh hectares in 2024. During the previous season (2023-24), this figure remained limited to approximately 4.80 lakh hectares.Across the entire Khandesh region, the area under cotton cultivation was 8.70 lakh hectares in 2022. This figure declined to 8.50 lakh hectares in 2023 and 8.30 lakh hectares in 2024. This year, cotton sowing is estimated to cover approximately 1.60 lakh hectares in Dhule district and around 80,000 hectares in Nandurbar district. The most significant decline is being recorded in Dhule district.Cotton Cultivation Becomes a Loss-Making VentureCotton cultivation is proving to be increasingly unprofitable for farmers. Issues such as the growing infestation of the Pink Bollworm, a shortage of agricultural labor, and low market prices for cotton have heightened farmers' concerns. Consequently, many farmers in drought-prone areas are now shifting away from cotton and turning towards soybean cultivation instead.Meanwhile, farmers who possess adequate irrigation facilities are prioritizing cash crops such as papaya and banana. Some farmers have also decided to reduce the area they had previously allocated for cotton cultivation this year. Jalgaon Still Ranks Number One in the StateFor several years now, the Jalgaon district has maintained the top position in Maharashtra in terms of cotton cultivation. Even though the area under cotton cultivation in the district is likely to decrease this year, Jalgaon is expected to remain the district with the highest cotton sowing area in the state.Jalgaon is followed by the Yavatmal district, where cotton is sown annually across an area of approximately 4.5 lakh hectares—or slightly less.Read More :- The Rupee opened at 94.58 recording a decline of 33 paise.

The Rupee opened at 94.58 against the USD, down by 33 paise.On Friday, the Indian Rupee opened at 94.58 against the Dollar a decline of 33 paise whereas it had closed at 94.25 on Thursday.Read more:- Surge in Akot Cotton Market: Cotton Prices Cross ₹10,000 Mark

Surge in Akot Cotton Market: Cotton Prices Cross the ₹10,000 MarkCotton prices at the Akot Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) have been witnessing a continuous upward trend. On Wednesday (May 6), the maximum price for cotton reached ₹10,005 per quintal, creating an atmosphere of excitement among farmers. The minimum price recorded at the market stood at ₹8,550 per quintal, while daily arrivals of cotton have exceeded 1,000 quintals.Akot, which has established itself as a prominent emerging cotton market in Western Vidarbha, saw the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) procure over 7.39 lakh quintals of cotton through three procurement centers at the beginning of this season. Subsequently, starting in April, private traders also commenced their procurement operations. Since April, approximately 33,000 quintals of cotton have been traded at the Akot market.Cotton prices have been rising steadily over the past few days. While the maximum price stood at ₹9,500 per quintal on Monday, it rose to ₹9,740 on Tuesday. On Wednesday, cotton prices crossed the ₹10,000 mark. This sustained upward momentum in the market has bolstered farmers' hopes that cotton prices may rise even further in the coming days.Driven by this surge in prices, farmers are now bringing the cotton stored in their warehouses to the market. Farmers are also selling their produce with an eye on preparations for the new season and their immediate cash requirements. In particular, high-quality cotton remains in strong demand among traders, enabling farmers to secure better prices.A significant number of cotton processing units operate within the Akot region. These industries require a continuous supply of raw material, thereby sustaining the demand for cotton in the market. It is for this reason that a positive trend is being observed in cotton prices. Market experts believe that if this level of demand persists, cotton prices could witness further appreciation in the days ahead.

The Indian rupee higher 50 paise to close at 94.25  per dollar on Thursday, compared to 94.75 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was down 114 points or 0.15 percent at 77,844.52, and the Nifty was down 4.30 points or 0.02 percent at 24,326.65.read more :- Sharp Surge in Cotton Prices: A Jump of ₹1,000 Per Quintal in 8 Days

Massive Surge in the Cotton Market: A ₹1,000 Per Quintal Increase in Just 8 DaysThe state's cotton markets are currently witnessing a tremendous surge. Within the last eight days, cotton prices have recorded an increase of approximately ₹1,000 per quintal. In several major market committees, cotton fetched a peak price of up to ₹9,950 per quintal—a figure being hailed as the highest level recorded so far this season. These rising prices have brought a renewed sense of relief and hope to the faces of farmers.Until just a few days ago, cotton was trading at an average of ₹8,000 per quintal; however, prices in most mandis (markets) have now crossed the ₹9,000 mark. In key markets such as Yavatmal, Ralegaon, and Hinganghat, an atmosphere of enthusiasm prevails among traders and farmers regarding buying and selling activities. On Wednesday, the price of cotton in the Yavatmal mandi hovered around ₹9,100 per quintal, while the Ralegaon and Hinganghat market committees recorded a peak price of up to ₹9,950 per quintal.According to experts, changes in the international market are having a direct impact on the domestic cotton trade. Rising prices of polyester fiber have fueled a surge in the demand for cotton yarn and raw cotton. Furthermore, high crude oil prices and global geopolitical tensions are also contributing to the strengthening of the cotton market. Globally, cotton prices—which previously ranged between 72 and 74 cents per pound—have now climbed to between 90 and 92 cents per pound. Consequently, the price of one khandi (a traditional unit of weight) of cotton has risen from approximately ₹45,000 to reach ₹62,000.Although the bullish trend persists in the market, the arrival of cotton stock remains limited. Most farmers have already sold off their stocks. For instance, on Wednesday, the Ralegaon mandi recorded an inflow of only 250 quintals of cotton. Experts believe that if market arrivals increase in the coming days, cotton prices could witness further strengthening.read more :- Agricultural Technology: A Technique for Baling Raw Cotton to Prevent Impurities

Hopes for a Cotton Revival in Malwa: Farmers Set Their Sights on Punjab’s New Indigenous Variety, PBD88Developed by the Punjab Agricultural University, the new non-Bt indigenous cotton variety, PBD88, holds the potential to give a new direction to cotton cultivation in Punjab's Malwa region this Kharif season. At a time when the state is grappling with the twin challenges of continuously shrinking cotton acreage and rising cultivation costs, this variety has emerged as a beacon of hope for farmers.Over four years of rigorous testing and field trials, PBD88 has captured the attention of scientists due to its superior attributes, such as higher yields, lower cultivation costs, and pest resistance. According to experts, the fiber derived from indigenous cotton varieties also holds significant commercial value within the pharmaceutical industry.Paramjit Singh—a crop breeder at the Bathinda-based Regional Research Centre and the lead scientist behind this variety—stated that PBD88 yields approximately 11 quintals per acre. This output is 1–2 quintals higher than that of traditional indigenous varieties and is considered comparable to the average yield of hybrid cotton varieties.He noted that over the past few years, cotton acreage in Punjab has declined sharply due to infestations of the pink bollworm and whitefly, as well as adverse weather conditions. However, trials have demonstrated that PBD88 is relatively less susceptible to the pink bollworm. Consequently, farmers in the semi-arid regions are being encouraged to adopt this new indigenous variety.The state's cotton acreage plummeted from 2.52 lakh hectares in 2021 to a mere 95,000 hectares in 2024. However, the area expanded to 1.2 lakh hectares in 2025, and the Department of Agriculture has now set a target of 1.5 lakh hectares for 2026.Experts emphasize that the most significant advantage of PBD88 is its cost-effective cultivation. While traditional varieties typically require approximately six rounds of manual picking, the harvest of this variety can be completed with just three rounds of picking. Furthermore, due to its resistance to several major pests, farmers' expenditure on pesticides may also decrease.According to the State Agriculture Department, more than 100 quintals of PBD88 seeds have been made available to farmers for the first season. Approximately 3 kilograms of seeds per acre is sufficient for sowing this variety. It is among the select cotton varieties for which the Punjab government has announced a 33 percent subsidy.Vijay Kumar stated that the objective behind promoting indigenous cotton varieties is not to completely replace Bt cotton, but rather to introduce diversity into farming practices. According to him, indigenous cotton possesses natural resistance against pests such as the whitefly and diseases like leaf curl.He also pointed out that in many non-hybrid varieties, cotton bolls tend to break off and fall if harvesting is delayed, resulting in losses for farmers. However, this issue has been observed to a lesser extent in PBD88, thereby ensuring greater security for the farmers' yield.Read More :- Agricultural Technology: A Technique for Baling Raw Cotton to Prevent Impurities

Innovative Cotton Baling Technology for Reducing Contamination in Raw CottonRising levels of impurities have become a serious challenge within the cotton processing industry. Removing these contaminants requires expensive machinery, which drives up production costs and negatively impacts farmers' incomes. To address this issue, Krishna Somani—a young innovator from Parbhani (Maharashtra)—has developed an innovative machine capable of baling raw cotton directly in the field itself.A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (Nagpur) for the further upgradation and testing of this prototype machine. This institute stands as a leading research center in the field of cotton technology.Background of the ProblemCotton cultivation in India spans an area of approximately 13 million hectares, with Maharashtra making a significant contribution to this total. In India, cotton harvesting is typically carried out in a phased manner (usually 3 to 4 times). Farmers often store their entire harvest at home for months on end so they can sell their entire yield at once. During this storage period: Dust, debris, and other impurities get mixed into the cotton. The risk of infestation by rats and pests increases.There is a decline in both quality and weight (resulting in a loss of up to 5–6 kg per quintal).Fire hazards and health-related risks also escalate.The Solution: On-Farm Baling TechnologyDesigned to tackle these challenges, this machine bales the cotton immediately after it has been harvested. This process offers the following benefits:The cotton is not left exposed, thereby minimizing the accumulation of impurities.Storage becomes both easier and safer.Transportation costs and labor requirements are reduced.While large bales weighing 2.5 tons are typically produced in other countries, this Indian technology produces smaller, lighter bales weighing approximately 35 kilograms—making them easy to lift and handle manually. Technical SpecificationsInitially electrically powered; now, tractor (PTO)-driven units are available.Production Capacity: Approximately 40 bales per hour.Developed through the modification of a silage machine (Total development cost: ~₹9–10 lakhs). Current Machine Price: ₹7–7.5 lakhs. Baling Cost per Quintal: ₹100–₹150.Storage and Economic BenefitsDue to the uniform size of the bales, storage becomes significantly more organized—a 10×10-foot room can accommodate 35–40 quintals of cotton.In one instance involving a farmer, the use of baling and warehouse storage—which facilitated securing a better market price—resulted in an additional profit of ₹1.1 lakhs on a total yield of 110 quintals.Institutional Collaboration and Future ProspectsPartnerships have been established with the Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology and Bajaj Industries for the development and dissemination of this technology. Additionally, financial assistance amounting to ₹20 lakhs has been provided under the ‘RAFTAAR’ scheme.According to the Institute's Director, Dr. S. K. Shukla, efforts are currently underway to incorporate this machine into government subsidy schemes, thereby ensuring that this technology reaches a wider base of farmers.ConclusionThe technology for field-level baling of raw cotton not only minimizes impurities but also enhances the efficiency of storage, transportation, and marketing. Although awareness regarding this technology remains limited at present, it holds the potential to bring about a transformative change within the cotton industry in the future.Read More :-  The rupee opened at 94.75 down 14 paise.

The rupee opened at 94.75 against the USD, a decline of 14 paise.On Thursday, the Indian rupee opened at 94.75 against the dollar a decline of 14 paise whereas it had closed at 94.61 on Wednesday.Read more:- The rupee closed 43 paisa higher against the dollar at 94.61 

The Indian rupee opened at 95.04 per US dollar on Wednesday and appreciated by 43 paise to settle at 94.61 by the close.At close, the Sensex was up 940.73 points or 1.22 percent at 77,958.52, and the Nifty was up 298.15 points or 1.24 percent at 24,330.95. About 2755 shares advanced, 1287 shares declined, and 161 shares unchanged.read more :- Demand for Testing of Nanded-44 Bt Cotton