KASTURI COTTON BHARAT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economics)

Context: The Union Minister of Textile, Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution recently launched the website of Kasturi Cotton Bharat.

Kasturi Cotton Bharat

• About: ‘Kasturi Cotton’ is an initiative of the Government of India (MoTextile), Textile Trade Bodies and Industry with the objective to brand Indian cotton by adopting certain standards and specifications in cotton farming, sourcing, optimising the supply chain, and processing for textiles. It includes traceability, and sustainability measures, reflecting the fashion trend in the developed markets.
• Aim: To increase exports of raw cotton and value-added products such as yarn and textiles, and create premium value for domestic cotton.
• Announced: On the eve of World Cotton Day on 7th October 2020.

Cotton

• About: It  is one of the most important commercial crops cultivated in India and accounts for around 25% of the total global cotton production.
• Species of Cultivated Cotton: Gossypium arboreum and Herbaceum (Asian cotton), G.barbadense (Egyptian cotton) and G. hirsutum (American Upland cotton).
• Major States: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• BT Cotton: It is a genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically modified pest resistant plant cotton variety, which produces an insecticide to combat bollworm.