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An MOU was signed between Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Ministry of Textiles Govt. of India  on Implementation Agreement of Indo German Technical Cooperation Project on ‘Sustainability and Value Added  in the Cotton Economy’.

Objective

The objective of the project is `to increase the value addition from sustainable cotton production in India by focusing on sustainable cotton, and strengthening of downstream processing’.

Details

• It is focussing on 4 majorly cotton producing states- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and will work closely with them and the related agencies.
• The  GIZ project is aimed at  increasing volume of cotton production at least on 90,000 hac with participation of 1.50 lakh cotton farmers with yield increase by 10%.
• India is the largest cotton producer in the world and also the 2nd largest consumer of cotton in the world.
• The project follows "From shelf to field” approach, with the strategy to link consumers to the cotton growers in India and work along the entire supply chain.
• The project is also focusing on creation and promotion of transparency about the prevalence and application of internationally recognized/accepted sustainability standards and promoting measures that reduce the water footprint in cotton production.
• This will help reduce vulnerability of cotton sector to ever-increasing water-stress worsened by climate vagaries.

Significance

• This will enable capacity building of the 1.50 lakh farmers& entrepreneurs of which about 30% will be women beneficiaries.
• The  GIZ project will also help in enhancing employment and women empowerment in training and capacity building on sustainable cotton growing practices by innovation in new cotton processing procedures and ginning etc.

Source: PIB