Cotton Corporation of India Launches “Bale Identification and Traceability System”

Relevance: Prelims - Cotton Cultivation, GS3 - Transport and marketing of agricultural produce – issues and related constraints, E-technology in the aid of farmers

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Context

• The Indian Ministry of Textiles commemorated World Cotton Day 2023 by convening a conference dedicated to improving the quality and productivity of cotton.
• During the event, the 'Bale Identification and Traceability System' was launched, alongside the inauguration of the Kasturi Cotton initiative.
• The forthcoming 81st session of the ICAC was announced, with officials emphasizing India's significance in the worldwide cotton sector.

Key Highlights of the Conference

• Theme Focus: The theme was "Enhancing Quality & Productivity of Indian Cotton through Policy, Innovation, & Technology Upgradation."
• Sustainable Practices: The conference emphasized sustainable farming methods across the cotton value chain, from farming to fashion and international trade.
• Innovative Systems Introduced:
• Bale Identification and Traceability System (BITS): Leveraging Blockchain Technology to ensure quality and origin traceability for cotton bales via QR codes.
• Kasturi Cotton Program: A premium quality cotton initiative with traceability, certified by the Ministry of Textiles and managed by TEXPROCIL in collaboration with CCI.
• International Collaboration: Announcement of the 81st Plenary meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) to be held in Mumbai with a theme promoting local innovation for global prosperity.
• Technological and Innovation Exhibition:
• Display of new technologies aimed at boosting cotton productivity.
• Presentation of natural colored cotton products, ginning and processing technologies, best farm practices, sustainable fashion, and advanced agricultural tools like remote sensing and satellite imagery.

Major Initiatives Launched

1) Bale Identification and Traceability System (BITS)

• The Bale Identification and Traceability System (BITS) is an initiative launched by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to enhance the transparency and traceability of cotton bales.
• BITS employs blockchain, a secure and immutable digital ledger system, to record and maintain the data associated with each cotton bale.
• This technology ensures that the information is reliable and tamper-evident.
• Each cotton bale under the BITS gets a unique Quick Response (QR) code.
• The QR code can be scanned using a digital device to retrieve detailed information about the bale.
• The QR code contains data that allows stakeholders to track the original source of the cotton, including the farm where it was grown.
• Along with the origin, the system provides insights into the processing stages the cotton bale has undergone, including the factories where it was processed, as well as storage details.
• BITS includes timestamps and quality-related information about each bale, enabling buyers to assess the cotton's quality and variety accurately.
• By offering a full history and current details of the cotton bales, BITS ensures that both Indian and international buyers can make informed purchasing decisions based on credible data.
• The implementation of BITS is a significant step towards modernizing the cotton supply chain in India, aiming to enhance the marketability and credibility of Indian cotton on the global stage by providing a robust system for quality assurance and supply chain oversight.

2) Kasturi Cotton Program

• The Kasturi Cotton Program is an initiative introduced by the Ministry of Textiles of India, focusing on establishing and promoting a premium quality certified cotton brand from India.
• The program aims to produce cotton of certified premium quality, ensuring high standards for both the domestic and international markets.
• A significant feature of Kasturi Cotton is its traceability. This ensures that every stakeholder in the value chain, from the farmer to the fashion retailer, can track the journey of the cotton.
• Under this program, ginners across India are authorized and equipped to produce Kasturi Cotton, provided they follow certain quality protocols.
• This helps in maintaining the consistency and reliability of the cotton produced under this label.
• The program's implementation is overseen by TEXPROCIL (The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council), in collaboration with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), acting on behalf of the Ministry of Textiles.
• By branding and ensuring the quality of Indian cotton, the Kasturi Cotton Program aims to enhance the marketability of Indian cotton globally.
• The initiative empowers ginners across the country to align with quality protocols, thus elevating the overall standard of Indian cotton.
• The Kasturi Cotton Program represents a concerted effort by the Indian government to bolster the reputation of Indian cotton and to make it a preferred choice in the global cotton market, providing assurance of quality and origin to buyers and consumers worldwide.

3) Event Brochure for the 81st Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)

• The 81st Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) refers to the annual conference organized by the ICAC, which is an association that serves as a global forum for the cotton and textile industries to address issues and share knowledge.
• The event is slated to take place in Mumbai, India, from December 2nd to 5th, 2023.
• The theme for this plenary meeting is "Cotton Value Chain: Local Innovations for Global Prosperity."
• The meeting expects to bring together over 400 delegates and observers from more than 27 countries, making it a significant international event in the cotton industry.
• The Ministry of Textiles of India, in conjunction with organizations like the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), the Cotton Association of India (CAI), and the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), is involved in hosting this important gathering.
• Such meetings are generally designed to facilitate discussions on current issues facing the cotton industry, share best practices, introduce new technologies, and promote international cooperation.

Conclusion

The event concluded by reaffirming the Ministry of Textiles' dedication to fostering innovation, sustainability and growth in the Indian cotton sector. Emphasis will be given on collaborative efforts with ministries, industry stakeholders, and international partners for the development of the cotton textile industry.

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FAQs

MCQs

Question: Which of the following activities constitute real sector in the economy? (UPSC 2022)

1. Farmers harvesting their crops
2. Textile mills converting raw cotton into fabrics
3. A commercial bank lending money to a trading company
4. A corporate body issuing Rupee Denominated Bonds overseas

Select the correct code from below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question: The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of (UPSC 2021)

(a) Brown forest soil

(b) Fissure volcanic rock

(c) Granite and schist

(d) Shale and limestone

Question: “The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. It requires at least 210 frost free days and 50 to 100 centimeters of rainfall for its growth. A light well-drained soil capable of retaining moisture is ideally suited for the cultivation of the crop.” Which one of the following is that crop? (UPSC 2020)

(a) Cotton

(b) Jute

(c) Sugarcane

(d) Tea

Question: Kalamkari painting refers to: (UPSC 2015)

(a) a hand-painted cotton textile in South India

(b) a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India

(c) a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India

(d) a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India