India needs to ramp-up R&D to enhance cotton production: Experts

Hyderabad: India needs to focus on cutting-edge R&D to bring back self-sufficiency in cotton production and to meet the growing demand, which will also enhance productivity and farmers’ incomes, said India’s top agricultural scientists and experts at a national conference on ‘pioneering the future of cotton research.’

An Indian seed manufacturer Rasi Seeds to commemorate its golden jubilee organized a national conference in collaboration with the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), New Delhi. About 150 top researchers and scientists working on cotton from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and renowned experts from across the nation emphasized on the need to step up our below-average productivity at 447 kg/ha despite being a global leader in both acreage (13.61 mn/ha) and production (34.3 mn bales)

Despite having world’s largest cotton acreage, India’s global rank in productivity is languishing at a 44th place. Factors such as shifting weather patterns, increasing pest and disease challenges, and the slow adoption of advanced technologies have hindered growth, resulting in a plateau in productivity over the last 5-7 years.

Dr. M. Ramasami, Chairman, Rasi, said: “This national conference is aimed at reiterating the significant role and urgent need of cutting-edge R&D in cotton crop in India, exploring holistic solutions to increase cotton productivity. Specific focus on enabling technological and policy interventions is the need of the hour to ensure India’s cotton sector remains sustainable, profitable and globally competitive.” Dr. Ramasami is a seeds veteran with over 50 years of experience in the seed sector.