Compiled by Salil Chawla, Director, DFU Publications
Delivering the keynote address at the 4th Global Cotton Conference held yesterday in New Delhi, Rajvir Rathi, VP- Public and Government Affairs at Bayer Crop Science, conveyed a powerful message on the future of India’s cotton sector, coinciding with the celebration of World Cotton Day.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak today and to introduce the Department of Energy, the Commission, and its work on international affairs. Building on the previous speaker's focus on the sea, today’s conference also highlights advances in technology, the realities of climate change, and the need to maximize the responsible use of fossil fuel energy—especially from marine sources.
We have set ambitious targets, such as increasing soil coverage to 100 billion hectares by 2030, most of which will depend on climate considerations and the role of the sea.
To reach these goals, investment and innovative collaboration across sectors are vital. When we achieve high productivity—1.3 billion or more—we must ask how we can contribute further, drawing on the dedication of millions of farmers and strong industry support.
It is essential for the private sector, government, and all partners to work together to ensure farmers’ needs are met, production is fully utilized, and the textile sector supports these efforts. This synergy between fossil resources and technological progress will help overcome challenges, as many new technologies are emerging.
Key next steps include broadening international cooperation, as highlighted during recent conferences such as in Dubai, and increasing investment in research and innovation to support high-yield crops on limited land. Land constraints demand that technology and new approaches be used to boost productivity without unnecessary expansion.
Small- and medium-scale projects are especially critical, considering cotton’s diversity across regions and its impact on the foundation, strength, and competitiveness of the sector. Research should ensure cotton remains both affordable and competitive, despite concerns about oversupply.
Currently, technology uptake in this industry is limited, but revolutions bring new opportunities. Farmers need access to these advances so they can succeed globally; otherwise, the entire value chain’s competitiveness is at risk. For lasting progress, all stakeholders must ensure success starts at the farm level, leveraging innovations so that the benefits are felt across the industry.
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