At the 45th Annual General Meeting of The SIMA Cotton Development & Research Association (SIMA CD & RA) held on 16th December 2020 at SIMA premises, Coimbatore, Mr.R.Ravichandran, Director of Veejay Yarns & Fabrics Pvt Limited, Mr.G. Venkatramachandran, Managing Director of Laven Technoblend Limited and Dr S K Sundararaman, Managing Director of Shiva Texyarn Limited were unanimously elected as Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively for the year 2020-21.
In a Press Release issued here today, the newly elected Chairman, Mr.R.Ravichandran has stated that Indian cotton textile industry and cotton farming community have been facing several challenges on cotton front and SIMA CD & RA has been working very closely with the State & Central Governments, industry and the farmers in developing genetically pure cotton seeds and directly supplying to the farmers. He has stated that SIMA CD & RA has also been very active in upgrading the skills of the cotton farmers across South India especially in Tamilnadu for improving productivity, reducing cost of production and improving quality. The recently designed and developed Kapas plucker by SIMA has helped the cotton farmers to produce high quality cotton, reduce their cost of production and double the net income in all the clusters where massive trials were taken by Government of Tamilnadu and Cotton Corporation of India says, Mr.Ravichandran. He has profusely thanked the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles and Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamilnadu for extending various schemes and financial support to SIMA CD & RA in the interest of farmers and the industry.
The Central Government has been contemplating to increase the production of high quality Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, organic cotton and naturally colored cotton under “AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” Scheme and involving SIMA CD & RA in all the Research & Development activities and policy matters relating to cotton development and recently launched Indian cotton brand “Kasthuri”. Mr.Ravichandran has stated that research team of SIMA CD & RA is gearing itself to develop various cotton seeds to mitigate the challenges of BT cotton, herbicide, water scarcity (drought tolerant), high density, environment protection, water conservation, etc., and successfully developed several technologies and seeds.
Shakthi BT and SIMA Platinum (better than SUVIN and any other international ELS cotton) have been invented by SIMA CD & RA and they have been recently certified and are ready for commercial multiplication. SIMA CD & RA Chief has added that Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), SIMA CD & RA and Confederation of Indian Textile Industry Cotton Development & Research Association (CITI CD & RA) have successfully conducted the ELS cotton trials in the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamilnadu and planning to multiply the areas. SIMA CD & RA has also identified farmers and necessary areas for multiplying the pure organic cotton under contract farming in the coming season and few leading mills have already come forward to venture into this pilot project.
SIMA CD & RA Chief has stated that the Association has already developed brown colour and green colour cotton seeds and brown colour cotton seed is ready for commercial multiplication. The naturally colored cotton will be organic and an ultimate solution for textile processing. The naturally colored cotton would also be more skin friendly and would have sustained physical and chemical properties and therefore would have tremendous market opportunities. Mr.Ravichandran has stated that the corporate companies intend to support cotton farmers through CSR may contact the Association (Ph.0422 4225333) as the commercial multiplication would need three to five years in holding support for the farmers and the R&D activities.
SIMA CD&RA Chief has appealed to the Hon’ble Prime Minister to launch Technology Mission on Cotton 2.0 to increase the yield from 500 kgs per hectare to 750 kgs per hectare in the next five years and adopt various technologies to double the farmers’ income and sustain the same without MSP operations.
Address by Mr. R Elango, Chairman, SIMA CD & RA at the 45th Annual General Meeting of the Association at 4.00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at the Conference Hall, SIMA Premises, 41, Race Course, Coimbatore-
Good Evening Friends,
I extend a warm welcome to all of you for the 45th Annual General Meeting of The
SIMA Cotton Development & Research Association. I have great pleasure in
welcoming CCI CMD, Shri P K Agarwal and all other dignitaries for the AGM.
The economic impact of Covid 19 pandemic is havoc across the world and has been
largely disruptive in India too. India had to face the worst crisis since independence.
However, the three unique versions of Atmanirbhar Bharat Covid 19 relief measures
and well planned lockdown restrictions enabled the country to mitigate the challenges
and recover from the recession on a fast track mode.But, the uncertainties will
continue till people get access to proper vaccination. With the tapering down in
positive cases of Covid 19, the agriculture, textiles and several other sectors have
started performing well while many other sectors like tourism, education, sports,
retails, etc., continue to suffer.
We highly appreciate the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for announcing
landmark reforms in Indian Agriculture. This would greatly benefit the entire agriculture community, the largest employment provider of the nation and the Indian Textile & Clothing Industry, the second largest employment provider which is predominantly cotton based. This would help the Indian Cotton Textile Industry to enhance global competitiveness and become the clothier of the globe.
Though the Covid 19 outbreak was witnessed at the end of the Indian cotton season, it had impact on the farmers as they could not get labourers to pluck the cotton due to lockdown and also could not sell the seed cotton. Since the cotton purchase and consumption came to a grinding halt, the cotton price that was ruling around Rs.39,000 per candy during March 2020 dropped to around Rs.34,500 during Jun/Jul 2020. Cotlook A prevailed at around 80 cents/pound during Jan/Feb 2020 also dropped to 66-67 cents during Apr/May 2020 making majority of the mills to carry high cost cotton procured during peak season eroding huge working capital.
The cotton consumption during the cotton season 2019-20 is expected to drop over 20% resulting in record closing stock of over 105 lakh bales as against the normal stock level of 40 to 45 lakh bales.CCI procured around 11 lakh bales during the cotton season 2018-19 and could not sell the same as the market price was lower than the cost price of CCI. When Government increased the MSP by 26% for the season 2019-20, the highest increase in the last thirteen years, CCI had to procure 105 lakh bales under MSP. Though the current market price is ruling much lower than the MSP, CCI has so far procured only around 42 lakh bales out of 100 lakh bales arrived the market as they strictly enforce FAQ. We compliment CCI CMD and his team for adhering to FAQ. We are sure, this approach will make the country to improve the cotton quality and benefit all the stakeholders across the value chain.
We also appreciate CCI for constantly selling the cotton even during the beginning of
the season for the first time in its history. Normally, CCI will sell the MSP cotton only beyond March. We convey our heartfelt thanks to Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, Women and Child Development Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani and CCI CMD Shri P. K. Agarwal for such a historical reform in the CCI cotton trading policies, extending additional benefits for MSME units and stopping bulk discount.
We thank the Hon’ble Minister of Textiles for branding Indian Cotton as “Kasthuri”.
SIMA CD & RA would be playing a major role in establishing the brand directly and
also through CCI and CITI CD & RA across all cotton growing States in the country.
The Association would play a vital part in distribution of genetically pure seed for
cultivation of ELS cotton, Organic cotton and naturally coloured cotton and fulfilment
of the vision “AAtma Nirbhar Bharath”.
Now coming to the Agenda of the meeting,
The Annual Report, Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet of the Association for the year 2019-20 have already been circulated to all the members. With your permission, I presume that they have been read.
Since all the details pertaining to the Association’s activities and cotton scenario have
already been given in the Annual Report, I shall confirm my address only on the important aspects.
Activities of SIMA CD & RA
- Increasing ELS cotton production
The Association had distributed 218 metric tonnes of cotton seeds, of which 199.925 tonnes of ELS cotton seeds were supplied to CCI for distribution to farmers in Tamil Nadu through State Agriculture Department.
- Enhancing farmers’ net income and producing clean cotton
The battery operated hand held kapas plucker designed, developed, manufactured and commercially marketed directly by SIMA CD&RA had overwhelming response during the year 2019-20. The kapas plucker helps the farmer to reduce the plucking cost substantially and produce clean cotton (least trash and free from contamination). The net income for the farmers has almost doubled in several centres when compared to manual picking. We are extremely thankful to the Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, CMD, Cotton Corporation of India, Honorable Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Government of Tamil Nadu for the support extended to distribute 5,618 kapas pluckers during the year 2019-20. Under “CCI-CST Collaborative Scheme” 3,899 kapas pluckers were distributed to
the farmers in the States of Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu, etc., and 1,719 machines were distributed to the cotton farmers in Tamil Nadu through the Department of Agriculture.
We appeal CCI and Government of Tamil Nadu to continue their initiatives to increase the production of ELS cotton and also encourage cotton farmers to use hand-held battery operated kapas pluckers to reduce contamination, improve the quality of cotton, reduce cost of cultivation and double their net income which is the Vision of Honorable Prime Minister.
- Going Global – MoU with CDO & NARO of Uganda
Friends, at this juncture we express our gratefulness to our Former Chairman Mr B Lakshminarayana and Vice-Chairman Mr G Venkataramachandran, who have put fourth relentless efforts and made the Association to enter into a MoU with Cotton Development Organisation (CDO) and National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) of Uganda for sharing the technical know-how in improving cotton production, farm practise, farmers’ earning, etc in Uganda and improving the gin out turn in India. This initiative is supported by International Trade Centre project on South-South Trade integrated with SITA Project (Supporting Indian Trade and Investment for Africa).
CDO would be using SIMA CD & Ra varieties SHS 102, SIMA 5, M55 and MCH 84 and the Association would be using Uganda varieties BPA 95, BPA 2015 A and BPA 2015 B for this purpose. The process of seeds exchange is in progress.
Apart from this SIMA CD & RA would be supply 20 SIMA Kapas Pluckers on experimental basis to bring down contamination in cotton and reduce the cost of cotton cultivation. Short-term and Long-term plans have been charted out in this regard to improve the earnings of the farmers and also the quality of cotton.
To achieve the objectives of the MoU, Dr M Asha Rani, Secretary cum Chief Cotton Breeder of the Association had made a preliminary visit to Uganda in February 2019 and a team of scientists from Uganda visited our seed farm and other research facilities in Coimbatore during February 2-6, 2020.
“Virtual Training on Cotton Production” for 25 participants was conducted by Dr. M. Asha Rani during August 5-11, 2020 through Zoom due to Covid 19 pandemic and restriction on movement of personnel.
Friends, I am happy to inform that we have received seeds of three Uganda cotton varieties from Cotton Development Organisation and the same has been sown on December 10, 2020 at our seed farm in Ponneri.
The objectives of the MoU are monitored on weekly basis through Zoom meetings.
- Participationin Expos – SIMA Texfair 2019 & ITME-Africa 2020
The Association as usual participated in “SIMA Texfair 2019” expo organised
during August 9-12, 2019 at CODDISIA, Coimbatore.
On the initiatives of our former Chairman Mr B Lakshminarayana the Association participated in “ITME-Africa 2020”, jointly organised by India ITME Society, the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (ECCSA), the largest technology and engineering event in the African Continent during February 14-16, 2019 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The expo was visited by investors and visitors from all other African countries. At the seminars conducted on the eve, Mr B Lakshminarayana lectured on “Cotton Value Chain in India – Key learning’s for Ethiopia” and Dr M Asha Rani on “Development,
Multiplication and Distribution of Seed Varieties in Southern India – Best Practices from SIMA CD & RA”.
Research & Development – Achievements
ELS Cotton
The Association has developed medium, long and extra long staple varieties/ bts, notable among them are SBSG 1-5 (SIMA Platinum), SIMA 5 and SIMA Shakthi.
- I would like to inform you that SBSG-1-5 (SIMA Platinum), an ELS variety developed by the Association is having better fibre properties than Suvin.
The ELS variety developed by the Association, SBSG 1-5 (SIMA Platinum) was identified for release in Central Zone States of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat under irrigated conditions. The variety showed 15% yield advantage over zonal check in the AICRP trails. The variety has been assigned with the National Identity Number IC634525. - Medium Staple suitable for High-density Planting
Considering the need for varieties/Bt suitable for High-density planting, SIMA ShakthiBt, suitable for High-density developed by the Association has got the approval of the Director of Seed certification and Organic Certification for the release.
Varieties undergoing AICRP Trials
Another ELS variety developed by the Association, SIMA 5, is undergoing the final
trials in AICRP trials and we expect the same would be approved for release in 2020-
21. Other varieties undergoing various stages of AICRP trials are SHSV 14, SHS
113, SHC-374 and SBSD-5-6. We have also submitted our colour cotton variety
SHSCC5 for trials. We are awaiting the trial results.
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I thank all the member mills, Special Invitees, members of the Council of Administration, Advisory Committee for Strategic Planning and Technical Advisory Committee and all the Past Chairmen for their guidance and support to carry out cotton development activities successfully.
We thank the Hon’ble Union Textile Minister SmtSmritiZubinIrani, CCI CMD Mr. Pradeep Kumar Agarwal, former CCI CMD Dr PAlli Rani, Director (Marketing), Mr. MM Chockalingam, AGM (Planning) Mr S K Bansal; GoTN Director of Agriculture Mr. V Dhashinamoorth and Deputy Director Mrs A Uma Devi and all other officials of the State and Central Governments.
We thank SIMA Office-bearers, SIMA Past Chairman and CITI Chairman Mr. T. Rajkumar, ICF President and our Former Chairman Mr J Thulasidharan, Texprocil Chairman Dr K V Srinivasan, Vice Chairman Mr Sanjay Jayavardhanavelu, SITRA Director Dr Prakash Vasudevan and all the officials and staff members of these organizations for their guidance and support.
We also thank Mr Suresh A Kotak of Kotak and Company Ltd, Mr PDPatodia, Chairman of CITI CDRA and Dr S A Ghorpade, Adviser CITICDRA and Dr. R.S. Tripathi, Director, CICR-Nagpur for conducting Kapas Plucker trials in the villages of Rajasthan and popularizing our R & D evolved varietal seeds.
We thank CCI, especially Dr P Alli Rani for distributing SIMA Kapas Pluckers to the farmers in the States of Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and also for distributing ELS cotton seeds through Tamil Nadu Agriculture Department.
We gratefully extend our thanks to Director General, Assistant Director General, Director and Project Coordinator and Head of Central Institute of Cotton Research for their valuable guidance for nomination of our cotton cultures in AICRP trials waiving the testing fee. We also thank all the Scientists and Officials of the CICR, TNAU, Department of Agriculture, Joint Director of Agriculture, Seed Inspection and Seed Certification for their valuable support and guidance.
We thank M/s Point Industries, Coimbatore for designing and manufacturing SIMA
Kapas Plucker machine.
We express our sincere thanks to the Director, Deputy Director, Commissioner of Agriculture and Agricultural Production Commissioner Chennai for their support for
implementing the technology transfer activities to the cotton farmers through NADP
scheme and Tamil Nadu Cotton Cultivation Mission.
We are grateful to Syndicate Bank, Avinashi Road Branch and Indian Bank, Main Branch, Coimbatore Main Branch for the timely financial support and look forward to their support in the coming years.
Our special thanks are also to our Statutory Auditor M/s P N Raghavendra Rao &
Company and Internal Auditor M/s P K Nagarajan & Co for auditing our accounts and
giving various suggestions for improvements.
My special thanks are also due to Deputy Chairman Mr R Ravichandran, Vice-Chairman Mr. G. Venkataramachandran and all the Past Chairmen for their support and guidance in all our activities.
I appreciate the excellent team work of the Secretariat under the leadership of Secretary General Dr K Selvaraju, Secretary cum Chief Cotton Breeder Dr M Asha Rani and Cotton Research & Development Officer Mr V Muthusamy.
Before I conclude, friends, I once again thank one and all who have directly or indirectly extended their valuable support and contributed to the functions SIMA CD & RA and request your continued support.
With relaxation in the restrictions imposed due to Covid 19, we anticipate improved
industrial activity across the globe and better prospects to all the stakeholders in the
cotton value chain.
Thank you.
Friends, now I request CCI CMD to give a bird’s eye view on the cotton scenario.
R Ravichandran (Chairman SIMA CD&RA)
G venkataramachandran (Dy.Chairman, SIMA CD&RA)
Dr Sundararaman K S (Vice-Chairman,SIMA CD&RA)
