Cotton

Introduction

“Malvaceae” is the scientific name of fiber cotton, which is one of the leading agricultural crops in terms of production. Cotton grows in the plants in the form of fluffy balls and the fiber produced from those balls can be used in making a variety of fabrics. Production of cotton does not involve high cost and it is a comfortable fabric to wear as it absorbs moisture and releases moisture briskly. Cotton has multiple uses both in the household as well as industrial uses.

Discussion

Cultivation of Cotton

Cotton is an agricultural crop that mostly grows in the subtropical areas of the world. The cotton plant can grow up to the height of 6 meters and the white blossoms become visible within 85-105 days of the plantation. 

Cotton usually grows in “Black clayey soil” though it may also grow in “Sandy” as well as “sandy loam” soil by following the process of “Supplemental irrigation”. The best production of cotton is noted in areas where the soil has a remarkable water holding capacity. The water drainage and the aeration have to be kept in mind while cotton cultivation as the plant cannot survive in waterlogged areas. In India cotton production is highest in Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujrat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. It is noted that cotton is not cultivated in West Bengal as the climatic conditions are not favorable. Cotton is a “Cash Crop” and it is intensively cultivated. Protection of the crop from pests at each stage of its growing process has to be monitored. The cultivation of cotton is inexpensive and the production capacity is high.

Cotton fabric

The natural cloth created by weaving the fluffy balls of cotton that is available from the plants is known as the cotton fabric. Cotton contributes largely to the textile industry as the cloth produced by weaving cotton is highly comfortable to wear. The cotton textile market in India has seen a high growth rate of about 190% in the last 30 years. 

Cotton fiber

Cotton is a “Hair-seed” fiber that consists of “Cellulose”. These fibers are light weighted, comfortable, and durable in nature. The absorption capacity of cotton fiber is very high and it can hold approximately 26 times water in terms of its own weight. Cotton fiber can be blended with different other fabrics such as linen, polyester, and others for bringing out the other available properties of the fiber.

Applications of Cotton

Cotton fiber has multiple applications in the textile industry and it also has home-based applications. Cotton fabric is used for making yarns. The yarn cloth can be used for making finished products such as shirts, women’s apparel, and others. The cotton sarees are made from cotton yarn. The fabrics such as Khadi, Linen, Velvet, Polyester, and others are made from cotton. Items like sewing threads are also made out of cotton. Cotton is used for making household products which include bed sheets, pillow covers, curtains, towels, robes, and others. The high absorption capacity of cotton is highly useful in the medical sector. Cotton is used in the medical sector in its non-woven forms such as cotton pads, bandages, and others. Cotton is used for making ear buds, sanitary napkins, diapers, and others. Cotton balls are used in beauty salons; cotton fabric is used in lighting diyas, book-binding, canvas making, and so on. Cotton is also used in making bags and packaging materials. Cotton is used for making quilts and soft toys.

Cotton Textile Industry

In India, the cotton textile industry is a fast-developing one and is considered to be the second-largest one in the textile industry. The cotton textile industry is ranked just after the man-made fabrics. India is the world’s largest producer of cotton and holds 18% of the total global production. The cotton textile industry in India has a bend towards exporting apparel. In the textile industry, approximately 74% of the total exported apparel is made of cotton. The data received from “The Ministry of Textile’ Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL)” states that there has been an approximate growth of 26% between April-September, 2018. It is noted that West Bengal is famous for its cotton sarees though in recent years the cotton textile industry has seen a decline. The weaving of “Tant” is an age-old craft of West Bengal and these sarees are famous for their quality and comfort.

Conclusion

Cotton production is inexpensive and India holds a leading position in cotton production in the global market. Cotton being a “Cash Crop” is intensively cultivated and nine major areas of India majorly produce cotton. Mumbai leads in cotton production in India whereas West Bengal doesn’t grow cotton. The cotton textile industry of India saw its surge since the “Swadeshi Movement”. Cotton is majorly used in the Textile Industry however it has different other applications in the medical sector, household, and other miscellaneous uses. The Indian cotton textile industry has been seeing a surge however the cotton textile market of West Bengal has seen a decline in the recent past due to an unstable financial environment.