The share of cotton in the total fibre consumption by Indian textile industry is declining in line with the global trend. “There is no cause for alarm, so long as the total consumption of cotton is increasing,” said textile commissioner Subodh Kumar.

“Cotton is losing ground to other fibres and its share in the country over the past decade has come down from 69% to 55%.” Indian industry is following the global trend, he said while addressing the All India Cotton Trade Associations’ conference organised by the East India Cotton Association (EICA).

The theme was ‘Empowering Indian farmer to face challenges specially in quota free regime-’05.’ He also emphasised the need for increasing the cotton yield to be competitive in the market. Indian yield averages around 300 kg per hectare against world average of 600 kg. Hence, the Indian cotton production works out to 2.5m tonnes against the global figure of 20m tonnes worldwide, despite having 25% of world acreage, the textile commissioner added.