Texprocil to Prioritise Kasturi Cotton and FTA Benefits for Textiles

Council to focus on increasing Kasturi Cotton adoption, improving traceability and helping Indian exporters leverage free trade agreements

The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (Texprocil) will focus on expanding the availability of Kasturi Cotton Bharat and increasing awareness of free trade agreement (FTA) benefits for the Indian textile sector over the next two years. Newly elected chairman Ravi Sam said the council would work on improving cotton quality, traceability and branding while encouraging exporters to make greater use of trade agreements.

Kasturi Cotton Branding and Quality Standards

Less than 50% of the cotton currently brought for branding meets the mandatory specifications and testing requirements for certification as Kasturi Cotton. According to Ravi Sam, improving compliance with these standards will be a key area of focus for Texprocil.

He noted that retail brands in other countries should also recognise the quality of Kasturi Cotton and incorporate it into their sourcing activities, with traceability forming an important part of the process.

Traceability from Ginning Units

The Kasturi Cotton branding process begins at ginning units. Measures are needed to ensure that farmers receive benefits from Kasturi cotton as they play a major role in reducing trash content and improving the fibre quality of cotton.

Ravi Sam said farmers should receive the premium associated with better-quality cotton. Other participants across the textile value chain should also receive the benefits linked to Kasturi cotton.

The government should ensure that sufficient quantities of surplus cotton seeds enter the market and that the number of approved seeds is reduced, enabling farmers to identify which seeds to sow, he added.

Indian Exporters and Free Trade Agreements

Texprocil will also focus on helping Indian textile exporters understand and benefit from free trade agreements. Indian garment exporters have had limited access to the UK and European markets for almost two decades because of duties imposed on Indian goods.

With India signing FTAs, the textile industry should make use of the benefits available under these agreements, Ravi Sam said.

The Confederation of Indian Industry's Southern Region has begun conducting handholding sessions for exporters to help them navigate the FTAs. Texprocil will also focus on this area, he added.