CCI Introduces QR Code Traceability for Cotton Bales in India
By ashish wagh 2024-06-25 16:58:11
India's CCI Offers QR Code Traceability for Cotton Bales
The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has taken a significant step towards enhancing transparency in the traceability of cotton produced in India by introducing QR codes for each bale. This initiative will allow buyers to access relevant information about the cotton, such as the village of procurement, the processing factory, and the date of sale, via a QR code.
Lalit Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of CCI, announced this initiative during the third meeting of the Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption (COCPC) for the Cotton Season 2023-24, held yesterday in Mumbai. Gupta emphasized the importance of this move in providing detailed traceability for every bale of cotton.
The meeting, chaired by Textile Commissioner Roop Rashi, included representatives from the central and state governments, the textile industry, the cotton trade, and the ginning and pressing sectors. The participants discussed the cotton scenario, covering state-wise area, production, import, export, and consumption.
In a post-meeting press conference, Rashi assured that the industry would have adequate raw material availability. She noted that cotton consumption has increased, marking the second-highest level of consumption in the past ten years. "The industry is on a good path, and we look forward to better consumption statistics," she added.
According to the COCPC, the total supply of cotton for the current season 2023-24, ending September 30, is estimated at 398.38 lakh bales of 170 kg each. This includes an opening stock of 61.16 lakh bales, production of 325.22 lakh bales, and imports of 12 lakh bales. Last season, the total supply was 390.68 lakh bales, with 39.48 lakh bales as opening stock, 336.60 lakh bales of production, and 14.60 lakh bales of imports.
The closing balance for the current season is projected to be 47.38 lakh bales, compared to 61.16 lakh bales last season. Total demand is expected to increase to 351 lakh bales this season, up from 329.52 lakh bales last year. Exports are also anticipated to rise from 15.89 lakh bales to 28 lakh bales this season.
