Vidarbha cotton gets a brand name ‘Kasturi Cotton Bharat’, but ginners wary

The Indian government is facing resistance from cotton ginners in Vidarbha over its decision to brand their produce as Kasturi Cotton Bharat’. While the initiative aims to improve cotton quality and benefit farmers, ginners are concerned about meeting strict quality norms, especially considering factors beyond their control like weather and pests.

This isn't the first time ginners have expressed apprehension. Last year, they opposed a similar move by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to implement quality control. The government has assured help and clarification regarding the branding. The government's goal is to create a unique identity for Indian cotton and fetch better prices. Kasturi Cotton Bharat signifies premium cotton purchased directly from select ginners by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). This cotton will be marketed under the Kasturi brand, with each bale geo-tagged for quality assurance.

Ginners, however, are apprehensive about meeting the stringent quality standards, which include using only first pickings (later pickings have lower quality). They worry about factors like weather and pests impacting their ability to consistently meet these standards.

While some, like farmer-expert Dilip Thakre, see benefits like improved yarn and fabric production under the Kasturi brand, ginners remain cautious. A national workshop is being held to discuss these concerns and find a solution that benefits both farmers and the industry.