An Introduction to Kasturi Cotton Bharat Programme

- The Kasturi Cotton Bharat programme is an initiative by the Ministry of Textiles aiming at the traceability, certification, and branding of Indian cotton.

- It is a joint effort made by the Indian government, more specifically the Cotton Corporation of India, trade bodies, and the cotton industry to enhance the traceability and certification of cotton. 

- A microsite has been developed for this program embedded with a QR code feature and a blockchain platform, contributing significantly to achieving end-to-end traceability and transaction certification.

Implementation and Impact on a National Level

- The programme is promoted nationally and internationally, with funds allocated on a national level instead of specific states.

- Approximately 343 modernised ginning and pressing units are registered under the program with 15 units in Andhra Pradesh.

- About 100 bales from Andhra Pradesh have been certified under the Kasturi Cotton Bharat brand.

Importance of Cotton in Indian Economy

- Also known as the "White-Gold", cotton contributes significantly to India's economy, accounting for 25% of global production.

- Cotton is a versatile crop that can grow in various soil types and hot, sunny climates yet is sensitive to waterlogging.

General Knowledge Facts about Cotton

- Cotton is a Kharif crop which requires 6 to 8 months to mature.

- It is a drought–resistant crop ideal for arid climates.

- Cotton occupies 2.1% of the world’s arable land, meeting 27% of the world’s textiles needs.

- The ideal temperature for its growth is between 21-30°C and rainfall required is around 50-100 cm.

- The crop thrives best in well-drained black cotton soil, also known as Regur Soil, found extensively in the Deccan Plateau.

- Its products include fibre, oil, and animal feed.

- The top cotton producing countries are India, China, and the USA, respectively. In India, the leading cotton producers are Gujarat, followed by Maharashtra, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh.

- There are four cultivated species of cotton: Gossypium arboreum, G.herbaceum, G.hirsutum, and G.barbadense.

- Gossypium arboreum and G.herbaceum are old-world cotton or Asiatic cotton.

- G.hirsutum, known as American or upland cotton, and G.barbadense, known as Egyptian cotton, are both new world cotton species.

- Hybrid Cotton refers to cotton created by crossing two parent strains with different genetic characters. This often happens spontaneously in nature when open-pollinated plants cross-pollinate with other related varieties.

- Bt-Cotton is a genetically modified, pest-resistant variety of cotton.