World Cotton Research Conference starts in Mumbai, held for the first time in Asia

Dyeing, Printing, Processing

World Cotton Research Conference starts in Mumbai, held for the first time in Asia

The Indian Society for Cotton Improvement (ISCI), Mumbai in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi and International Cotton Advisory committee (ICAC) organized the 5^thWorld Cotton Research Conference at Mumbai today. This is the fifth edition of World Cotton Research conference; WCRC, as it is popularly known. This conference is held every four years since 1994, earlier four conferences were held in Australia (1994), Greece(1998), South Africa(2003) and USA(2007). This event has become a turning point in boosting the agenda of Cotton R&D in the world. This is also reflected by the global cotton production over the last decade. Globally, the cotton production is likely to touch a new high of 160 m bales of 170kg each in the near future. In Indiawe are expecting a record production of 35 m bales which is more than doubled from 15 m bales during the last decade.

WCRC inaugurated bySharad Power, Union Minister of Agriculture & Minister of Food Processing Industries and also graced by the presence of Guest of Honour - Vilasrao Deshmukh, Union Minister of Science and Technology & Minister of Earth Sciences.
The conference was presided byPrithviraj Chavan - Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Central theme this year of all discussions at the World Cotton Research Conference 2011 is 'Technologies for Prosperity'. In the coming days, this five day international conference will be attended by academicians, researchers and representatives of international bodies from across the globe and will highlight discussions on several issues such as the Indian experience with biotech cotton, the recent framework for sustainable intensification of agriculture, the evolution of textile technology in the last decade / the vision for textile technology in this decade, efficient water management technology for sustainable cotton production in central India, among others.

Speaking on this occasion, Dr. C. D. Mayee, President, ISCI and Chairman National Organising Committee said, "The cotton industry in India has experienced the fastest growth making India the world's second largest producer, consumer and exporter of cotton. Cotton is an important commercial crop and plays a vital role in the textile industry globally. It is a matter of privilege for us to host this event in our country where cotton is an important part of our economy. Indiais a land of farmers and this stage will help us in innovating and partnering with farmers to help improve productivity and helping make India a self-sufficient global contributor in agriculture. I feel immense pleasure and great pride to be a part of this intellectual conglomerate that provides stellar insights into the research and development cotton production in india."

Nearly 200 foreign cotton scientists from 30 countries and 450 Indian scientists will be participating in this conference. The participation of top ranking cotton scientists of the world in this conference will improve the research agenda for the Indian cotton industry and guide us in areas like, enhancing resistance to drought, salinity, pest and disease resistance through biotechnology, quality improvement in fibre, micro-irrigation, fertigation technologies and simultaneously improving post harvest ginning, spinning and byproduct utilization. Associate industries like textile industry, face issues like bumper production, cost benefit to the farmers from cotton export, price reduction, import-export challenges, these will also be discussed in this 5 day conference.

Dr. C. D. Mayee further added “As evidenced from earlier experience there is no relation between export and price reduction. Even when export is restricted, prices shall not fall. Higher production shall certainly benefit farmers and textile mills. This five day conference will provide a unique opportunity to Indian scientists in the area of biotech. We have also planned special panel discussions on fiber quality improvement, what's next in insecticide and biotech to address these major concerns affecting the Indian cotton industry as a whole"

This fifth conference will cover most research areas in cotton production - biotechnology, genomics, plant breeding, textile research and several more. The International delegates will share their insights on cotton picking machines, planting technologies and high density planting which will, hopefully, fasten India's mechanization process.

On the sidelines of the technical sessions, organizers are show casing cotton developments in production, processing technologies and new fashion trends through an exhibition at the venue and Fashion Show themed "back to roots" organized by fashion designer - Tasneem Merchant.