CITI’s research and development arm, the Cotton Development and Research Association (CITI-CDRA) organized its Annual Project Review Meeting on 22nd January 2025 in Nagpur.
Session-wise details of the program are as below:
Session 1: Overview of CITI CDRA Project
The event started with a review of the status of project activities of CITI-CDRA in its 3 states of operation, i.e., Maharashtra, MP and Rajasthan. The same was presented by the respective project officers of 2 states.
SESSION 2: Stakeholder Discussion
The session started with the opening remarks of Ms. Chandrima Chatterjee, SG CITI, who welcomed all the participants and set the tone of the session.
During the session, Chairman-CITI Standing Committee on Cotton, T. Rajkumar, gave an overview of the CITI-CDRA activities and emphasized that the success of India’s textile industry starts from the fields, with cotton farmers playing a pivotal role in the entire supply chain.
SG CITI, Ms. Chandrima Chatterjee, giving her welcome address.
Chairman-CITI, Rakesh Mehra shared the growing expectations of the cotton industry.
During the session, eminent cotton scientist, D. C. Mayee gave an insightful keynote address on the evolution of cotton farming in India.
Dr. Y G Prasad, Director, ICAR-CICR shared an update on the Pilot project on cotton highlighting its significant progress and the innovative partnership model driving it forward. Director-DCD, Dr A L Waghmare shared his thoughts.
During the session, MD Gimatex Industries, Prashant Mohota also facilitated a roundtable discussion on various key cotton-related topics.
The discussion provided a platform for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas on critical issues being faced by the Indian cotton sector.
During the event, Dr. Y. G. Parsad was also felicitated for his immense contribution towards the 'Pilot Project on Cotton'.
Other activities that took place during the review meeting are listed below:
Felicitation of team members of CITI-CDRA for their contribution towards Pilot Project on cotton
Felicitation of CITI-CDRA project partners.
The program concluded with a field demonstration in Parshivani Taluka l Cotton Shredding l Biochar Preparation.
CITI has been consistently following up the matter with relevant Government departments and will update the members about any positive development in the same.
Representation of request to remove import duty on cotton; The industry has been consistently reporting the issue of import price parity being followed by domestic traders due to the import duty levied on cotton. Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is also reported to be adopting a similar strategy.
Based on industry suggestions, CITI took up the matter and sent a representation to Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, requesting the following measures:
Recommend the Hon’ble Minister of Finance to remove the 5% Basic Customs Duty (BCD) and 5% Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) currently imposed on cotton imports.
Direct CCI to amend its selling policy by offering MSP-procured cotton at international prices and not factoring the import duty while calculating the selling prices.
Update on extension of RoDTEP scheme for AA, SEZ, and EoU and Interest Equalization Scheme (IES). CITI and other associations have been consistently requesting the government for an extension of the RoDTEP scheme for AA, SEZ, and EoU and Interest Equalization Scheme (IES) from their deadline of 31st December 2024.
Based on the requests of the industry, the government extended the validity of the RoDTEP scheme for AA, SEZ, and EoU up to 28th January 2025, and the same was reflected on the ICE Gate portal. However, any notification/information on its further extension is awaited.