National Workshop on the "Branding of the Vidharba Cotton as Kasturi"

ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT), Mumbai in association with The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL), Mumbai and Vidarbha Cotton Association (VCA), Nagpur organized a National Workshop on the "Branding of the Vidharba Cotton as Kasturi" On the occasion of Centenary Year celebration of ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai on May 16, 2024. The programme was organized in the auditorium of ICAR-NBSS&LUP, Nagpur. Dr. C.D. Mayee, Former Chairman, ASRB, New Delhi, Shri Suresh Kotak, Chairman, TAG, Govt. of India (Joined virtual Mode), Dr M. K. Sharma, Whole time Director & CEO, M/s. Bajaj Steel Industries Ltd., Nagpur, Dr. S. K. Shukla, Director, ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai, Dr. Siddhartha Rajagopal, Executive Director, TEXPROCIL, Mumbai, Sh. Vijay Kuradagi, Director, (Marketing), CCI Ltd., Mumbai, Dr. A.L. Waghmare, Director, Directorate of Cotton Development, Nagpur, Shri. Bhavesh Shah, President, VCA, Nagpur. Shri Irfan Khoje, Secretary, VCA, Nagpur, Dr. K. Pandiyan, Sr. Scientist & Officer In-Charge, GTC, ICAR-CIRCOT, Nagpur, Sh. Udaysinh Kharat, Joint Director, TEXPROCIL, Mumbai graced the occasion. Dr. Pandiyan gave the welcome address and briefed about the overview of the programme. Shri. Bhavesh Shah in his introductory remarks, expressed the gratitude to the farming community on this day and insisted for improving the productivity through farm practice interventions. Further he discussed about perspectives of VCA about participation in Kasturi branding. He also, emphasizes on the issue of allergies during handling of cotton by farmers as well as labours. Dr. Siddhartha Rajagopal, narrated about the importance of Kasturi cotton-the new standard in the Indian cotton quality. He mentioned that for the first time, efforts were undertaken for ensuring cotton quality in an organized manner through Kasturi cotton. Sh. Vijay Kuradagi explained about the benefits to the CCI Ltd., due to adoption of Kasturi branding. Shri Irfan explained the perspectives of ginners participation in Kasturi branding. Dr. T. Senthilkumar, Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIRCOT, discussed about the importance of BIS certification of cotton bales and procedure to getting certificates from BIS. Dr. Shukla briefed about quality Standards of the Kasturi Cotton and Means and Ways to Achieve Them by Vidarbha Ginners. He also motivated the ginners to bring at least 80% of cotton bales that can meet Kasturi brand. Dr. Sharma expressed their willingness to support ginning industries through machine intervention to address trash reduction by the way to meet Kasturi brand.

Dr. Mayee, in his address, mentioned the need to promote cotton as one among the cash crop to fetch additional income by the farmers. He appreciated the efforts undertaken by organizers. Also, he advised that such programmes need to be organized among the farmers to promote Kasturi cotton cultivation. The programme was attended by more than 250 participants inclusive of ginners, spinners, brokers, traders, and researchers. The programme was convened by Shri. Narendra Chandak, M/s. Shree Krishna Company, Saoner. The programme was ended with the vote of thanks by Sh. Udaysinh Kharat, Joint Director, TEXPROCIL, Mumbai.