Cotton

World Bank Activities in Cotton Sector

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The World Bank Group has undertaken cotton-related activities in several developing countries. Traditionally, the Bank's involvement has taken the following forms: lending to support the cotton sector-for both investment and technical assistance-either from IBRD loans or IDA credits; and policy advice through economic and sector work, usually linked to policy reforms associated with quick-disbursing loans and credits.

Lending and Technical Assistance Projects

The World Bank has approved a number of cotton-related investment and adjustment op-erations. Two operations were approved during the 1990s. Approved in 1994 for a total of US$14 million, the Cotton Development Project in Uganda sought to improve performance in the cotton industry through liberalization of cotton processing and export marketing; establish an efficient regulatory framework for the cotton industry; and improve manage-rial, technical, and operating efficiency in a creditworthy ginning industry. The project also sought to improve efficiency of supporting services through support for national re-search and extension programs and also to improve delivery mechanisms and availability of credit and seeds. Approved in 1995 in the amount of US$66 million, the Cotton Im-provement Project in Uzbekistan was designed to liberalize prices of cotton seed, bring producer prices for seed cotton marketed under the state system closer to international prices, create a private cotton-planting industry, eliminate input subsidies, and shift cotton trade from barter-based to cash-based transactions.

More recently, the World Bank made loans in West and Central Africa that had components directly or indirectly affecting the cotton sector. The Cotton Sector Reform Project in Benin (approved in 2002), is expected to facilitate transition to a competitive sys-tem through support of private sector operations and institutional change resulting from the privatization of the National Company for Agricultural Promotion's (SONAPRA) gin-ning activities. This project component's main focus is supporting the institutions involved in cotton ginning and primary marketing to help them become strong and effective. Tech-nical assistance and advisory services will cover management responsibilities, auditing, and financing operations, including training for institutional capacity building. Further-more, the project will support the implementation of sectorwide technical-service pro-grams to help the private sector take over the agricultural services and other technical support functions carried out by SONAPRA. The effort to privatize SONAPRA's ginning plants includes assistance and advisory services, notably to address social issues and the financial needs of the government's conversion program.

The Second Poverty Reduction Support Credit Project in Burkina Faso, approved in 2002, is an integral part of the Country Assistance Strategy to support the implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). It is the second in a series of three planned operations.

The project is designed to help the government achieve better out-comes in public resource management by
(i) strengthening program budgets and linking allocations to specific sector objectives, strategies, and action plans
(ii) improving service delivery in education, health, and rural development and
(iii) strengthening the fiduciary framework to promote accountability and transparency in the use of public funds, includ-ing external aid.
In the context of its rural development component, the government, in collaboration with the World Bank, will closely monitor the poverty impact of cotton liber-alization in the medium-term and take corrective measures if necessary. An upcoming PRSC III program ($50 million) is expected to continue to foster the reform process in the cotton sector by supporting participatory mechanisms for developing the rules and condi-tions governing the opening of two cotton zones to private investors, awarding the con-tracts, and addressing issues related to input financing.

The Structural Adjustment Credit Project V in Chad, approved in 2003, is designed to support the cotton-sector reform program. Its primary goal is to improve the livelihoods of about 300,000 poor families. Given the complexity of the reform program, which is be-ing introduced in a context of depressed world cotton prices and barely functioning rural markets, it will be a challenge to ensure the program's consistency with its stated objective. To overcome this risk, a study has been carried out to identify the most appropriate sce-nario for the state's divestiture from Cotontchad. Moreover, an extensive ex-ante and ex-post poverty and social impact analysis is being completed, the results of which will feed into the design of the reform program and allow for ex-post adjustments if necessary.

The Third Structural Adjustment Credit in Mali, approved in 2001 and currently under way, supports
(i) recovery and restructuring of the cotton sector to restore positive economic growth and
(ii) public expenditure reforms aimed specifically at advancing the government's poverty reduction objectives.
The government has laid out its policy for re-forming and liberalizing the cotton sector, including a plan to privatize the cotton com-pany's agro-industrial and commercial activities. The first phase of the project includes ini-tial divestment activities and design of a full sector-liberalization program. The restructur-ing program will necessarily span several years and require an effort to create an appro-priate framework to attract private capital and know-how and to build the capacities of key participants, notably the farmers' organizations. Reinforcement of the capacity of farmers' organizations to play an increasing role in the management of the cotton sector will be provided separately.

Finally, under the Agricultural Services and Producer Organizations Project, ap-proved in 2001, the authorities in Mali expect to implement the first phase of the reform program. Its objectives were to
(i) restore the cotton company's financial stability so as to allow it to secure financing for the forthcoming crop season
(ii) achieve efficiency gains in the cotton company through restructuring and divestment of non-core activities
(iii) di-vest to the private sector the cotton collection and marketing activities in one cotton grow-ing area
(iv) privatize the cotton-oil company
(v) assure that the producer price of cotton for the 2001-02 crop year was high enough so that confidence of the farmers would be maintained, compensate for the heavy losses in rural incomes suffered in 2000-01, and re-dress the impact on rural poverty and
(vi) define and prepare the final phase of the sec-toral reform program.

Non-Lending Activities

In addition to its lending operations, the World Bank has engaged in non-lending activities that include policy advice, sector work, dissemination activities, and, more recently, price-risk management.
The World Bank has been active in assisting the reform process in the cotton-producing countries of West and Central Africa. To that end, numerous consultations have taken place among the relevant stakeholders, including farmers' organizations, the cotton companies, the French cotton parastatal, and the multilateral donors. Initially, the discus-sion regarding the reasons for reform took a heated tone, most likely due to misunder-standing. Later, however, a consensus emerged. As the special issue of Cotton Outlook on the cotton sector of West and Central Africa noted : "Much of the impetus for change in the regions has come from ... the World Bank [which] provides a clear outline of the main policy options now under consideration. It is encouraging to note that the sometimes acrimonious nature of the recent debate with regard to the future of cotton in Francophone producing countries appears to be giving away to a more constructive dialogue."

The World Bank along with AFD convened two major regional meetings, a techni-cal symposium on cotton sector policies in Ouagadougou in 1999 and a ministerial meet-ing in Abidjan in 2002 on the cotton reforms and the global environment for cotton trade. Furthermore, the World Bank is currently finalizing a study on long term development strategies for the cotton sector in West and Central Africa countries, focusing on 4 main ar-eas: the potential for textile and garment sector development; future trading mechanisms for an expanding cotton sector; technology generation and dissemination to sustain long term competitiveness; and raising the poverty impact of cotton cultivation. The World Bank and ICAC co-sponsored a conference on "Cotton and Global Trade Negotiations" (July 8-9, 2002) that boosted awareness of the global policy environment in the cotton market. Cotton also figures prominently in Global Agricultural Trade and Developing Coun-tries, an edited volume forthcoming from the World Bank. Numerous commodity-related briefings of the Bank's Board of Executive Directors have taken place, including one that focused exclusively on cotton .

Managing price risk in the cotton sector is another area in which the World Bank has been active. Price-risk management in the cotton sector is complicated due to the pres-ence of high basis risk-that is, low correlation between the New York Board of Trade fu-tures contract and the A Index, the main price measure of the world cotton market. In ad-dition to the basis risk, use of the New York contract by producers and traders outside the United States involves currency risk (for example, Euro/$ exchange-rate risk in the case of West and Central Africa). Despite these difficulties, the World Bank recognizes that man-aging risk, especially in an environment where cotton growers are fully exposed to the forces of demand and supply, is an issue that must be fully explored.

Currently, the World Bank and ICAC are examining the existing pricing and marketing systems in selected West and Central Africa countries in order to assess the potential of various devices to manage and mitigate risk. The work will focus on two key areas. First, it will examine the existing marketing and price mechanisms and the way in which risks are currently allo-cated. Second, it will study potential risk-mitigation devices that go beyond the existing New York futures contract, such as over-the-counter or forward contracts offered by large banks, cotton merchants, and investment houses.

Organic Cotton

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Organic cotton is generally understood as cotton, from non genetically modified plants, that is to be grown without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides.Its production also promotes and enhances biodiversity and biological cycles.In the United States cotton plantations must also meet the requirements enforced by the National Organic Program (NOP), from the USDA, in order to be considered organic. This institution determines the allowed practices for pest control, growing, fertilizing, and handling of organic crops.As of 2007, 265,517 bales of organic cotton were produced in 24 countries and worldwide production was growing at a rate of more than 50% per year.

Advantages of Oraganic Cotton

Cotton growers who make the transition to biologically based growing practices expect not only to offer a healthier and cleaner product, but also to benefit the planet. Some of the contributions to the different ecosystems include:

Protecting surface and groundwater quality (eliminating contaminants in surface runoff)

Reduced risk insect and disease control by replacing insecticide with the manipulation of ecosystems

Long-term prevention of pests through beneficial habitat planting.

Conservation of biodiversity

Eliminate the use of toxic chemicals used in cotton

Organically grown crops also yield soils with higher organic matter content, thicker topsoil depth, higher polysaccharide content, and lower modulus of rupture; therefore reducing considerably soil erosion.

Organic Certification

It is required by the law that any producer wanting to label and sell a product as "organic" must meet the standards established by the Organic Food Production Act of 1990, enforced by The State organic program (SOP) This act specifies the procedures and regulations for production and handling of organic crops.

Organic System Plan

Producers must elaborate and organic production or handling system plan which must also be approved by the state certifying agency or the USDA. This plan must include careful explanation of every process held in the plantation, as well as the frequency with which they are performed. A list of substances used on the crops is also necessary, along with a description of their composition, place where they will be used, and if possible documentation of commercial availability. This inventory of substances is important for the regulation of allowed and prohibited material established by the SOP.Organic cotton growers must also provide A description of the control procedures and physical barriers established to prevent contact of organic and non organic crops on split operations and to avoid contact of organic production with prohibited substance during gestation, harvesting, and handling operations .This production plan can also be transferred to other states as long as it has already been approved by a certifying agency.

Production

Production requirements are specifically the set of changes that must be made to field and farming practices in order for a crop to be considered organic. To begin with, organic fields must go through a cleansing period of three years, without the use of any prohibited substances, before planting the first organic crop. Fields must also be equipped with physical barriers and buzzers in order to prevent contact of organic crops with any chemical substance product of surface runoff from crops near by. Producers must also strive to promote soil fertility through cultivation practices while maintaining or improving the physical, chemical, and biological condition of the soil and minimizes soil erosion. Organic growers must also implement practices to support biodiversity. Such practices include integrated pest management (IPM), which consists of the manipulation of ecosystems that benefit both the crops and the organisms that live around it. In addition to these practices, producers may only apply crop nutrients and soil amendments included on the National List of synthetic substances allowed in crop production.

Handling

Handling procedures are all the processes related to product packaging, pest control in handling processing facilities among others. The SOP allows the use of mechanical or biological methods for the purpose of retarding spoilage of products,but at the same time it prohibits the use of volatile synthetic solvents in processed products or any ingredient that is labeled as organic.

Pesticides

Since organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, it should contain fewer pesticides than conventional cotton. Pesticides used in the production of conventional cotton include orthophosphates such as phorate and methamidophos, endosulfan (highly toxic to farmers, but not very environmentally persistent) and aldicarb. Other pesticides persisting in cotton fields in the United States include Trifluralin, Toxaphene and DDT . Although the last two chemicals are no longer used in the United States their long breakdown period and difficulty in removal ensures their persistence. Thus even organic cotton fields may contain them since conventional cotton fields can be transitioned to organic fields in 2-3 years.

Production of Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is currently being grown successfully in many countries; the largest producers (as of 2007) are Turkey, India and China.

Organic cotton production in Africa takes place in at least 8 countries. The earliest producer (1990) was the SEKEM organization in Egypt; the farmers involved later convinced the Egyptian government to convert 400,000 hectares of conventional cotton production to integrated methods,achieving a 90% reduction in the use of synthetic pesticides in Egypt and a 30% increase in yields.

Price Developments in Cotton

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Differences in cotton prices may be attributable to a number of factors. Cotton prices vary, in particular, depending on the variety grown and the quality of the harvested cotton. For examples, ad hoc quotations are set for long-staple Egyptian cotton.

In addition, cotton-pricing mechanisms are affected by government support programmes, especially in the United States. Subsidisation regimes in several producing countries have added to the relative fragmentation of price formation for cotton. According to a communication from the Commission of the European Communities to the Council and the European Parliament (COM(2004) 87), due to subsidisation, prices paid to domestic cotton farmers were 90% and 154% above world prices in 2001/02 in the US and EU respectively.

It should be pointed out here that there is no world futures contract currently used as an international cotton price benchmark. Indeed, standard specifications of futures contracts traded on the New York Commodity Exchange correspond mainly to US cotton market fundamentals. For the same reason, quotations at the Osaka Mercantile Exchange are not representative of world prices for raw cotton. Despite a punctual reduction of basis risk due to the increasing importance of US cotton on the world sector (and on price discovery mechanism), the use of future instruments for the other origins (with the exception of Mexico, member of NAFTA and which might be in a position to use US futures as both prices are well correlated) is not always easy as spot and futures prices might suddenly diverge. Any exogenous changes (e.g. trade policy) might eventually bring on the re-emergence of an important basis risk, with devastating spillovers on cotton hedgers.

The point of departure is generally the cash price for cotton set in actual transactions or through relatively short-term contracts for forward delivery (2 to 4 months). World prices are monitored by means of price indexes (the "Cotlook Indexes", A and B) compiled by Cotlook Limited, a private UK cotton consultancy, and published daily in the Cotton Outlook.

The Indexes are intended to be representative of the price level on the international raw cotton market:
The Cotlook A-Index is the average of the cheapest five quotations from a selection of the main upland cottons traded internationally (19 origins). The prices are CIF cash against documents on arrival of a vessel at a Far East port.

The Cotlook B-Index is an average of the cheapest three quotations for "Coarse Count" cotton - commonly in use for spinning coarse count yarn over the nine origins shipped to European ports.
Overall, fluctuations in cotton prices are determined by several factors, in particular: shifts in the level of demand and supply, which reflect changes in producing countries' cotton policies.

With output exceeding demand, world cotton stocks rose steadily in the middle of the 1980s, up to 10.3 million tonnes in 1984/85 and 11.4 million tonnes, the following year. There have then been continued increases in cotton stocks during the late 1990s and early 2000s, with stocks remaining high above 10 million tonnes. The rise in cotton stocks is attributable to excess supply, notably in China and the United States, were government incentives stimulated oversupply and added to the general downward pressure on prices. Cotlook A Index declined consistently during this period, with prices falling at 35US cents/lb in August 1986. Prices stood at 48.9 US cents/lb on average in 1985/86 and 62 US cents/lb in 1986/87, compared to 69.1 US cents/lb in 1984/85 and 72.2 US cents/lb in 1987/88 respectively. Following a meagre upward movement in 1989/90 (82.2 US cents/lb), the A-Index dropped again in the early 1990s, with major downward shifts occurring in 1991/92 and 1992/93. Prices averaged 57.6 US cents/lb in 1992/93. The lowest peak was recorded in November 1992 (52.7 US cents/lb).

Several factors contributed to drive cotton prices down, including:

1) A rise in cotton production. World cotton production increased from 19 million tonnes in the 1990/91 season to 20.7 million tonnes in 1991/92, at a growth rate of 9% over the period. Production sharply increased mainly due to the huge increase of China, whose production rose from 3.8 million tonnes in 1989/90 to 5.7 million tonnes in 1991/92.

2) On the demand side of the ledger, pricing was negatively impacted as cotton consumption declined in the former Soviet Union (consumption levels, which stood at 2 million tonnes in 1990, fell to 1.9 million tonnes over the next year and to 1.8 million tonnes in 1992).

Prices performance was more robust in the following years, with prices reaching the highest peak at 92.4 US cents/lb in 1994/95. This upward movement was recorded in conjunction with a steady decrease in cotton production in a number of countries (whose supply levels were closely linked to cotton quotations). In the first half of the 1990s, production of raw cotton dropped sharply in South America (it divided by 1.5), as the cotton area reduced in size. However, this regional slowdown in production was compensated by huge increases in the largest producing countries, notably China and the United States which has been going on until early 2000s (to which added an increase in cotton area in Brazil, Turkey and Australia). This overcompensation along with only a slight increase in demand and an important rise in direct subsidies (particularly at the end of the 1990s) led the price to reduce by more than half between 1994/95 (92,4 US cents/lb) and 2001/02 (41,9 US cents/lb). In 2007/08, cotton prices have reached pretty high level prices, especially from January to May 2008 when cotton prices averaged 75.6 US cents/lb. According to ICAC, this increase may not been totally explained by the analysis of market fundamentals and especially the significant decrease in the stock-to-mill use ratio forecasted at 53% in 2007/08 against 58% the crop season before.

With one fourth of global output, cotton stocks, and consumption, China plays a major role in cotton, affecting the movements in prices.

Uses of Cotton

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The major end uses for cotton fibre include wearing apparel, home furnishings, and other industrial uses (such as medical supplies). The cotton fibre is made primarily into yearns and threads for use in the textile and apparel sectors (wearing apparel would account for approximately 60% of cotton consumption). Cotton is also used to make home furnishings, such as draperies (eventually the third major end use) or professional garments (about 5% of cotton fibre demand).

Besides traditional uses and as a result of different finishing processes that have been applied to the cotton fibre, cotton is made into specialty materials suitable for a great variety of uses. Cotton fabrics with specialty applications include, for example, fire-proof (flame resistant) apparel, which is suitable for professional uses and provides effective protection against potential risks associated with high temperature and particularly flashover. Flame resistant cotton fabrics are treated with chemicals. Without chemical treatment, cotton would burn up releasing very strong heat, just like the major part of synthetic fibres, which melt when they are exposed to high temperatures.

Cotton also finds specialty applications in medical and hygienic uses. Most notably, the fibre is used to manufacture hydrophile cotton (cotton wool), compress, gauze bandages, tampons or sanitary towels, and cotton swabs. In this field, the most suitable cotton variety is the species Gossypium herbaceum with short-staple thick fibres.

Cotton Economic Policies

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International Cotton Advisory Committee

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as ICAC) is the authoritative forum for international discussions on matters related to the cotton economy. It met for the first time in Washington, D.C. in April 1940. Membership in ICAC is open to all members of the United Nations or of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, expressing an interest in cotton (although any other interested government shall be eligible to apply for membership).
As established in Article I of the Rules and Regulations adopted by the 31st Plenary Meeting (June 16, 1972), the functions of ICAC are:
1. To monitor developments affecting the world cotton situation;
2. To provide statistics and other information relating to world production, trade, consumption, stocks and prices of cotton and other textile fibres, or of textiles, insofar as they affect the cotton economy;
3. To suggest to member governments of ICAC, as and when advisable, any measures ICAC considers suitable and practicable for the furtherance of international collaboration directed towards developing and maintaining a sound world cotton economy;
4. To be the forum for international discussions on matters related to cotton prices.
ICAC meets in plenary session ("Advisory Committee") at least once per calendar year. Between Plenary Meetings, a Standing Committee represents the Advisory Committee at Washington. The Standing Committee gives practicable effect to all directions, decisions, and recommendations of the Advisory Committee. In this connection, it prepares work programs and monitors their implementation; makes recommendations for consideration by the Advisory Committee; establishes practicable cooperation with the United Nations and other international organisations concerned with matters of interest to ICAC. ICAC Secretariat, headquartered in Washington, comprises an Executive Director and his staff.

Overview of selected trade and economic policies

World cotton trade and production are highly affected by government policy intervention, notably in the US, China and the EU. Direct support to producers through price interventions is of particular concern as regards the efficiency of the global cotton market. According to ICAC, the aggregate level of direct production assistance across all subsidising countries reached US$2,7 billion in the season 2007/08 against US$5,6 billion in the 2006/07 and US$7,7 billion in 2005/06.
It is estimated that cotton subsidies artificially inflated production and depressed world cotton prices, damaging those developing countries that are heavily reliant on cotton exports for their foreign exchange earnings. Many studies have attempted to measure the impact of cotton subsidies, and have estimated the effects of subsidy removal. As highlighted in recent studies mentionned hereunder (GEM, 2007, ODI, 2004), different results are sensitive to different assumptions about the cotton market.

Trade disputes and negotiations

Within the World Trade Organization ("WTO"), action by developing countries to redress distortions in the cotton market has taken place in two different, although related, contexts: dispute settlement and negotiations.

Disputes: "US - Upland Cotton" (WT/DS267)

In 2003, Brazil was the first country to submit a formal complaint under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism about US cotton subsidies, claiming that they depressed world cotton prices and injured Brazilian farmers. Without the subsidies, according to estimates that Brazil commissioned from an American agricultural economist, United States cotton production would have fallen by 29% in 2001 - 2002 and its cotton exports would have dropped by 41%. According to these estimates, this contraction would have led to a rise in international cotton prices of 12.6%.
In a landmark ruling, the WTO dispute settlement Panel sided with Brazil on certain major substantive claims. The United States and Brazil each appealed certain issues of law and legal interpretations developed in the Panel Report. Finally, the Appelate Body upheld most of the Panel's findings.

Products at issue:

The dispute principally concerned United States subsidies in respect of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). The term "upland cotton" here means raw upland cotton as well as the primary processed forms of such cotton including cotton lint and cottonseed. Upland cotton would account for approximately 98 per cent of United States cotton production.

Measures at issue:

It is worh recalling that the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures ("SCM Agreement") creates two basic categories of subsidies: those that are prohibited, and those that are actionable. Subsidies contingent, in law or in fact, on export performance ("export subsidies") are prohibited. Other domestic-support measures fall in the "actionable" category. They are subject to challenge, either through multilateral dispute settlement or through countervailing action, in the event that they cause adverse effects to the interests of another Member (including "serious prejudice" arising from export displacement).
The measures as identified in Brazil's request for the establishment of a panel were alleged prohibited or actionable subsidies provided to United States producers, users and/or exporters of upland cotton under various commodity support programmes.

Production and trade policies affecting the cotton industry

It is estimated that cotton subsidies artificially inflated production and depressed world cotton prices, damaging those developing countries that are heavily reliant on cotton exports for their foreign exchange earnings. Many studies have attempted to measure the impact of cotton subsidies, and have estimated the effects of subsidy removal. As highlighted in recent studies mentionned hereunder (GEM, 2007, ODI, 2004), different results are sensitive to different assumptions about the cotton market.

WTO Cotton Sub-Committee

WTO members on 19 November 2004 set up a body to focus on cotton, as required in the 1 August 2004 decision, sometimes called the "July Package", covering all the WTO negotiations.The agreement to create a body to focus specifically on cotton is part of WTO member governments' response to proposals from four African countries - Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali - to tackle the sector.

Cotton Quality

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In industrial uses of cotton, grades defined by the US Department of Agriculture are generally accepted as the world standards for cotton fibre quality.

United States Cotton Standards

Developments in Cotton Classification Standards

Prior to the development of official standards, cotton was marketed primarily on the basis of its variety and where it was grown, although some physical standards for cotton classification (sets of physical samples) were used privately. The United States Cotton Futures Act of 1914 authorised the Department of Agriculture to establish physical standards as a means of determining colour grade, staple length and strength, and other qualities and properties. These standards were thereafter agreed upon and accepted by the leading European cotton associations and exchanges. They were accordingly termed and referred to as the "Universal Standards for American Cotton." Indeed, when in 1923 the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) signed the Universal Cotton Standards Agreement with nine leading cotton associations in seven major European countries, the US classing system entered into increasingly global use. Under the auspices of the Agreement, the currently twenty-four signatory cotton associations representing twenty-one countries agreed to use only Universal Standards to arbitrate US grown American upland cotton.

In addition to use by signatory countries, Universal Standards are routinely used in over twenty-five non-signatory countries as the standard for US and non-US grown cottons. Whereas other countries started developing their own classification system, the USDA kept committed to continual development and improvement efforts in the area of cotton classification standards. Since 1991, USDA cotton classification has relied on instrumental measurements (in addition to or as a substitute for human vision) for fibre length, strength and length, micronaire (a measure of the cotton's fineness), colour grade, colour Rd (reflectance), colour +b (yellowness), and trash percent area. All instrument measurements currently utilised in USDA are performed by High Volume Instrument (HVI) patented by Uster Technologies, a leading company in textile quality controlling.

Given the international acceptance of HVI testing, in 1996 the Universal Cotton Standards Agreement was amended to recognize USDA-produced HVI calibration cotton standards for strength, length and uniformity index. The new standards were named Universal HVI Calibration Cotton Standards and continue to serve today as the most recognized standards for HVI calibration. USDA is continuing its effort toward global HVI standardisation.

The quality of the cotton fibre is determined by three factors, namely, the colour of ginned cotton, purity (the absence of foreign matter) and quality of the ginning process, and the length of fibres. Practically all cotton grown in the United States is classed by USDA at the request of producers. While classification is not mandatory, growers generally find it essential to marketing their crop and for participation in the USDA price support program. For additional information on USDA cotton classification standards, the reader is referred to the official USDA website sections on classification, the HVI system, and standardisation.

Colour

The colour of cotton fibres is primarily determined by conditions of temperature and/or humidity, cotton lint exposure to sunlight, and cotton varieties. Action by parasites or micro-organism, as well as technical defects in harvesting and subsequent storage and transport, may all affect the colour of cotton.

The colour of cotton ranges from white to yellowish and is classed into the groups "White", "Light Spotted", "Spotted Tinged" and "Yellow Stained", in descending order of quality. There are 25 official colour grades of American upland cotton, ranging from "Good Middling" colour through "Middling Yellow Stained" colour. In addition, there is a descriptive "Below Colour Grade" standard for 5 categories of American upland cotton. Fifteen of these grades are each within the range represented by a set of physical samples in the custody of the United States Department of Agriculture (physical standards), whereas the remaining 10 grades (the six "Light Spotted" grades, "Good Middling Spotted Colour", "Strict Middling Tinged Colour", and the two "Yellow Stained" grades), as well as the 5 "below grade" categories, are descriptions based on the physical colour grade standards (descriptive standards).
Colour |Colour Grade |Symbol
White |Good Middling |GM
White |Strict Middling | SM
White |Middling | Mid
White | Strict Low Middling | SLM
White | Low Middling | LM
White | Strict Good Ordinary | SGO
White | Good Ordinary | GO
Light Spotted | Good Middling Light Spotted | GM Lt Sp
Light Spotted |Strict Middling Light Spotted |SM Lt Sp
Light Spotted | Middling Light Spotted | Mid Lt Sp
Light Spotted | Strict Low Middling Light Spotted | SLM Lt Sp
Light Spotted | Low Middling Light Spotted | LM Lt Sp
Light Spotted | Strict Good Ordinary Light Spotted | SGO Lt Sp
Spotted | Good Middling Spotted | GM Sp
Spotted | Strict Middling Spotted | SM Sp
Spotted | Middling Spotted | Mid Sp
Spotted | Strict Low Middling Spotted | SGM Sp
Spotted | Low Middling Spotted | LM Sp
Spotted | Strict Good Ordinary Spotted | SGO Sp
Tinged | Strict Middling Tinged | SM Tg
Tinged | Middling Tinged | Mid Tg
Tinged | Strict Low Middling Tinged | SLM Tg
Tinged | Low Middling Tinged | LM Tg
Yellow stained | Strict Middling Yellow Stained | SM YS
Yellow Stained | Middling Yellow Stained | Mid YS Below Grade | Below Grade-(Below Good BG 81 Ordinary) | BG
Below Grade | Below Grade-(Below Strict Good BG 82 Ordinary Light Spotted) | BG
Below Grade | Below Grade-(Below Strict Good BG 83 Ordinary Spotted) | BG
Below Grade | Below Grade-(Below Low BG 84 Middling Tinged) | BG
Below Grade | Below Grade-(Below Middling Yellow BG 85 Stained) | BG
HVI classing has been available on an optional basis to all growers since 1981. The colour of cotton is measured by the degree of reflectance (Rd) and yellowness (+b). Reflectance indicates how bright or dull a sample is, and yellowness indicates the degree of colour pigment. A three-digit colour code is used to indicate the colour grade. This colour grade is determined by locating the quadrant of the colour chart in which the Rd and +b values intersect. For example, a sample with an Rd value of 72 and a +b value of 9.0 would have a colour code of 41-3. In cotton classification, the colour grade of American upland cotton is determined using the HVI Colour Chart (instrument measurement), and referenced to colour grade standards that are in the custody of the USDA (the abovementioned Universal Cotton Standards used by human classers to determine official colour grade).

Leaf Grade and Extraneous Matter

Leaf grade describes the leaf or trash content in the cotton. Purity as regards the presence of foreign matter (waste such as leaves or earth) is of the utmost importance. There are seven official leaf grades for American upland cotton designated as "Leaf Grade 1" through "Leaf Grade 7". They are all represented by official physical standards in the custody of the USDA. In addition, there is a descriptive "Below Leaf Grade Cotton" designation for American upland cotton that is lower in leaf grade than Leaf Grade 7.

Official US standards for the leaf grade of American Upland cotton
Leaf Grade | Symbol | Code no.
Leaf Grade 1 | LG 1 | 1
Leaf Grade 2 | LG 2 | 2
Leaf Grade 3 | LG 3 | 3
Leaf Grade 4 | LG 4 | 4
Leaf Grade 5 | LG 5 | 5
Leaf Grade 6 | LG 6 | 6
Leaf Grade 7 | LG 7 | 7
Below Leaf Grade | BLG | 8
Other foreign matter (such as seed coat fragments), as well as the degree of smoothness or roughness with which cotton is ginned, may all affect the purity of the cotton lint. Additional explanatory terms considered necessary to describe adequately the condition of the cotton may thus be entered on classification memorandums or certificates.
An HVI trash measurement is also available, although the traditional method of classer determination for leaf grade and extraneous matter continues to be included as part of USDA's official cotton classification. Trash in raw cotton is measured by a video scanner, commonly referred to as a trash meter. It is a measure of both leaf and other elements such as grass and bark. The surface of the cotton sample is scanned by the camera and the percentage of the surface area occupied by trash particles is calculated.

Fibre Length

Fibre length is defined as the average length of the longer one-half of the fibres (upper half mean length). Fibre length is basically an inherited/genetically character of the seed variety. However, weather, nutrient deficiencies, as well as excessive cleaning and/or drying at the gin may also affect the fibre length. By affecting yarn strength and evenness, and the efficiency of the spinning process, the length of the fibre has a great influence on quality and price.

According to USDA's classing methodology, length measurement of American upland cotton is performed by HVI in accordance with standard test methods. The length of staple, measured in inches and fractions of an inch, is classed according to the following codes:
length(inches) | code | length(inches) | code
<13/16 | 24 | 1-3/16 | 38
13/16 | 26 | 1-7/32 | 39
7/8 | 28 | 1-1/4 | 40
29/32 | 29 | 1-9/32 | 41
15/16 | 30 | 1-5/16 | 42
31/32 | 31 | 1-11/32 | 43
1 | 32 | 1-3/8 | 44
1-1/32 | 33 | 1-13/32 | 45
1-1/16 | 34 | 1-7/16 | 46
1-3/32 | 35 | 1-15/32 | 47
1-1/8 | 36 | 1-1/2 | 48
1-5/32 | 37

Uniformity

Length uniformity is the ratio between the mean length and the upper half mean length of the cotton fibres within a sample. It is measured on the same beards of cotton that are used for measuring fibre length and is reported as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the greater the uniformity. If all the fibres in the sample were of the same length, the mean length and the upper half mean length would be the same, and the uniformity index would be 100. The following tabulation can be used as a guide in interpreting length uniformity results. Measurements are performed by HVI. Cotton with a low uniformity index is likely to have a high percentage of short fibres and may be difficult to process

Length Uniformity Index

Descriptive Designation | Length Uniformity
Very low | below 77
Low | 77-79

Average | 80-82

High | 83-85

Very high | Above 85

Strength

The fibre strength measurement is made by clamping and breaking a bundle of fibres from the same beards of cotton that are used for measuring fibre length. Results are reported in terms of grams per tex (a tex unit is equal to the weight in grams of 1,000 meters of fibre). It expresses the force required to break a bundle of fibres one tex unit in size. Fibre strength is largely determined by variety. Strength measurements are performed by HVI in accordance with standard test methods. The descriptive terms listed below may be helpful in explaining the measurement results.

Fibre Strength Table

Descriptive Designation | Strength (grams per tex)
weak | 23 and below
intermediate | 24-25

average | 26-28

strong | 29-30

very strong | 31 and above
Other properties that are of great importance in the industrial uses of cotton, including fibre fineness and maturity, are measured in accordance with standard test methods. Classing methodology is constantly updated to include state-of-the-art methods and equipment. Fibre properties are also measured for American pima cotton.
While the basic testing procedures for American Pima cotton are the same as for American upland cotton, different grade standards are used. For more information, refer to the Classification of Cotton (Cotton incorporated).

Global Cotton Varieties, Planting and Harvesting Periods

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Afghanistan
Planting Period : April - May
Harvesting : Oct - Dec
Staple in mm : 26-28
Variety : Acala
Argentina

Planting Period : Sep - Oct
Harvesting Period : Feb - June
Staple in mm : 24 - 28
Variety : Toba
Australia
Planting Period : Sep - Nov
Harvesting Period : Mar - June
Staple in mm :24 - 29
Variety: DPL
Brazil
Planting Period : Oct - Nov
Harvesting Period : Mar - June
Staple in mm : 26 - 28
Variety : IAC
Burkin
Planting Period : June - July
Harvesting Period : Nov - Dec
Staple in mm : 25 - 28
Variety : Allen
Camerron
Planting Period : June
Harvesting Period : Nov - Dec
Staple in mm : 25 - 28
Variety : Allen
Central Africa
Planting Period : June - July
Harvesting Period : Nov - Dec
Staple in mm : 25 - 28
Variety : Allen
Chad
Planting Period : June
Harvesting Period : Nov- Dec
Staple in mm : 25 - 28
Variety : Allen
China
Planting Period : April - June
Harvesting Period : Sep - Oct
Staple in mm : 22 - 28
Variety : Shandong, Xinjiang, MNH-93
Coted Ivorie
Planting Period : June - Aug
Harvesting Period : Oct - Jan
Staple in mm : 24 - 28
Variety : Allen
Egypt
Planting Period : March
Harvesting Period : Sep - Oct
Staple in mm : 31 - 40
Variety : Giza
Greece
Planting Period : April
Harvesting Period : Sep - Oct
Staple in mm : 26 - 28
Variety : 4S
India
Planting Period : April - Nov
Harvesting Period :Sep - Nov
Staple in mm : 16 - 38
Variety : G cot, DH 37, G cot DH 9, DDH 2,SRT 1, Renuka, LRA 5166, Anjali, Rajat
Iran
Planting Period : Mar - April
Harvesting Period : Sep - Nov
Staple in mm : 26 - 28
Variety : Coker
Israel
Planting Period : April
Harvesting Period : Sep - Oct
Staple in mm : 26 - 37
Variety : Akala
Mali
Planting Period : June - July
Harvesting Period : Oct - Nov
Staple in mm : 26 - 27
Variety : BJA
Mexico
Planting Period : March - June
Harvesting Period : Aug - Dec
Staple in mm : 26 - 29
Variety : Deltapine
Mozambique
Planting Period : Nov - Dec
Harvesting Period : April - May
Staple in mm : 25 - 29
Variety : A637
Nigeria
Planting Period : July - Aug
Harvesting Period : Dec - Feb
Staple in mm : 24 - 26
Variety : Samaru
Paraguay
Planting Period : Oct - Dec
Harvesting Period : March - April
Staple in mm : 26 - 28
Variety : Empire
Peru
Planting Period : July - Nov
Harvesting Period : Feb - Aug
Staple in mm : 26 - 28
Variety : Tanguis, Pima
Spain
Planting Period : April - May
Harvesting Period : Sep - Nov
Staple in mm : 25 - 28
Variety : Corolina
Sudan
Planting Period : Aug
Harvesting Period : June - April
Staple in mm : 27 - 30
Variety : Barakat, Acala
Syria
Planting Period : Aril - May
Harvesting Period : Sep - Nov
Staple in mm : 25 - 29
Variety : Alleppo
Togo
Planting Period : June - July
Harvesting Period : Nov - Dec
Staple in mm : 28 - 29
Variety : Allen
Uganda
Planting Period : April - June
Harvesting Period : Nov - Feb
Staple in mm : 26 - 28
Variety : Bap - Satu
USA
Planting Period : April - May
Harvesting Period : Sep - Dec
Staple in mm : 26 - 40
Variety : Acala151T, Deltapinenc, Paymaster280, Stonovilliest, Pima S7
Yemen
Planting Period : Aug - Sep
Harvesting Period : June - April
Staple in mm : 36 - 40
Variety : K4

Leading Cotton Producing Countries

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People's Republic of China : 25.3million bales
India : 20.5million bales
United States : 19.2 million bales
Pakistan : 11.7million bales
Brazil : 7.2 million bales
Uzbekistan : 5.5 million bales
Turkey : 3.2 million bales
Greece : 1.4 million bales
Turkmenistan : 1.3 million bales
Syria : 1.2 million bales

Cotton Market

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The United States and Russia shuffle the first position in the cotton production between themselves. These two, countries are closely followed by China and India while other important producers include Brazil, Egypt, Mexico and Pakistan.

United States

The most famous cotton growing area in the United States is the 'cotton belt' which refers to a large area from southern Virginia to western Texas, excluding most of Florida but including major parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee as well as the adjoining corners of Missouri and Kentucky. The most important of these in area, yield and production is the Mississippi alluvial plain. The outer limit of the cotton belt corresponds to the 200 day growing season and rough topography in the north, low and uncertain rainfall in the west and poorly drained coastal marshland on the south and heavy autumn rainfall in the east.

The desert valleys of the lower Colorado basin in the California and Arizona resemble the famous Egyptian long-staple cotton growing region in respect of dry season and almost continuous sunshine. The dry climate reduces the danger of the boll weevil. Flat and fertile land, long growing season, and irrigation water are the bases for the yields per acre more than twice the national average.

Russia

Cotton growing has made remarkable progress in Russia. Also, a land and water reform was introduced in the cotton growing former Soviet republics Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia etc. during the very first years of socialist construction. Large state and collective cotton growing farms came into being in central Asia, Kazakhstan and Transcaucasia. Advanced agrotechnical methods were introduced into cotton growing practice and extensive work of irrigation was carried out as a sequel to the radical land reform measures.

The areas's principal cotton growing base is Uzbekistan where most of the cotton production is localized and which represents more than 60% of the ex-Soviet countries cotton acreage. The second, third, fourth and the fifth places go to the credit of the Turkmen, the Azerbaijan, the Tajik, and the Kazak respectively. The Kirghiz and Armenian Union republics are also other important producers.

China

Since 1949 a great deal has been achieved with regard to cotton cultivation. Research on methods of cultivation and new varieties has not only increased output in the established and high-yielding areas of Kiangsu, Hupeh, Honan and Shensi but also has opened new or previously little developed regions. New varieties have enabled Liaoning, which has only 150-160 frost less days, to produce successfully long-staple cotton. Expansion of the growing area and consequently the output of cotton in Sinkiang are to a large extent attributable to development of irrigation.

Egypt

The Nile valley of Egypt is unquestionably the best cotton field in the world. The highly fertile alluvial soil of the Nile delta, long fertilized by the flood waters, with almost continuous sunshine and warmed by a climate in which there is a steady rise in temperature from spring to summer and steady decline from summer to autumn yields a return, nearly double the amount obtained in the United States. Largest acreage than any other crop is sown with cotton, and this represents more than 20% of the cultivated land. Increase in cotton acreage is greatly limited by the absence of irrigation facilities. However, the construction of the Aswan Dam near the Sudanese border has gone a long way in the development of cotton cultivation in Egypt. Egypt accounts for about 17% of the world's cotton exports. With regard to the export of long-staple cotton Egypt is a source of envy with its world share of about 25%. Production of long-staple cotton, developed from the Egyptian v arieties, has spread with varying degrees of success in the irrigated area of India, Pakistan, Sudan, Peru, Russia, and the southwestern United States.

Brazil

Brazil held the sixth position in the world in 1987-88 in the production of cotton. The former sugar lands of northeastern Brazil accounts for about 25% of the national output. Both long yet strong fibered 'tree cotton' and regular short-staple varieties are grown. The rest of the Brazilian output originates from Sao Paulo where coffee and cotton vary m acreage and importance according to fluctuations in world prices and demand.

Mexico

Mexico represents less than 2% of the world's cotton in 1987-88. Major producing districts lie close to the U.S. border on the Colorado River delta and along the Rio Grande, and also in Oases in the dry interior and along the west coast.

Other Latin American Countries

Peruvian cotton is noted for its excellent quality. Peru grows its cotton along the coast under irrigation. Colombia and Argentina are the second and the third largest producers of cotton in South America. Bolivia, Equador, Paraguay and Venezuela are other cotton growing countries.

As many as 70 countries are engaged in the cultivation of cotton all over the world but more than 80% of cotton is grown in only nine countries.

Cotton in India

With regard to cotton acreage, India is second to none in the world, but in total output she ranks a poor fourth; India contributes only 10% of the world production. Cotton holds the first position among the commercial crops in India if its manufacturing aspect is also taken into consideration.

India grows a large variety of cotton over a range of climatic and edaphic conditions from the sub-montane tract in the extreme north of Punjab to the Tinnevelly district of Tamil Nadu in the extreme south of India; Generally speaking it is an arid region crop and thrives best where rainfall is less than 75 cm. The soil is no less important. The sticky black cotton soil of Deccan Trap with greater moisture retaining capacity is ideal for cotton cultivation.
In India cotton is considered long-staple when the fibre is 2.2 cm and above; it is medium staple, when the tearing length of fibre varies between 22 cm and 1.7 cm, if the length of fibre is below 1.7 cm it is classed as short staple variety.

Principal Producing Areas

The major cotton producing areas are the southern United States, Russia, India, Pakistan, Egypt, China and Brazil. The less important producers are Mexico, Sudan, Peru, Uganda, Turkey and Argentina.

World Trade in Raw Cotton

The principal exporters of raw cotton are the U.S.A. Egypt, Brazil, Pakistan, Uganda, Peru and Russia. During 1987-88 cotton exports of the U.S.A., Egypt, U.S.S.R., Brazil and Pakistan were 4.6 million bales, 1.6 million bales, 1.2 million bales, 0.8 million bales and 0.6 million bales of 500 lbs. each. Mexico, Peru, other African countries and Turkey exported 0.9 million bales, 0.3 million bales, 0.9 million bales and 0.4 million bales of 500 lbs each. U.K. is the principal customer of U.S.A.'s cotton. India's imports are confined to long staple cotton of 90 thousand metric tones annually from U.S.A., Kenya, U.A.R., Tanganyika and Sudan.

Cotton Pest Management

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Cotton Pests and Diseases

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Ants

Some species of Australian ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are important predators of cotton pests, particularly under raingrown conditions and in lighter soils where ant colonies can establish within the field. However ants can sometimes form associations with aphids, in which they feed on aphid honeydew, and in return, nurture and defend aphid colonies against other predators.

During an irrigation event, ants present in the crop will re-locate their eggs higher into the plant canopy.

Bacteria

Bacterial disease may also affect larvae of various cotton pests such as heliothis. Commonly, bacterial infections can be observed after artificial infection with Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner), sold commercially as Bt sprays.

Bacterial Blight (Xanthomonas Axonopodis or X. Campestris Pvmavacearum - Exotic Strains)

Although strains of bacterial blight are alreadypresent in Australia, they are no longer a problemdue to varietal resistance. Exotic strains (races)occur, however, that are ‘hypervirulent' and, ifestablished in Australia, would cause large yieldlosses. The disease is seed borne allowing easydispersal and introduction of new races into newareas. Bacterial blight is spread by high temperature,humidity and rainfall.

The initial symptoms include the undersides of leaveshave angular water soaked lesions. Lesions dry anddarken with age then leaves are shed. Black lesionsspread along stem. Bolls often infected at base or tip.Lesions dry out and prevent the boll opening. The pathogen is capable of symptomless transfer andtherefore could be undetected through quarantine.Symptoms include yellowing or bronzing of leaves,leaves wilt and die; dead leaves usually remain onplant. At this stage, roots are dead and surface iscovered with network of tan fungal strands.

Fungal Diseases

Fungal diseases may affect larvae of heliothis, cotton looper, cluster caterpillar and armyworms. Prolonged, moist conditions favour the development of fungal diseases such as those caused by Nomuraea rileyi (Farlow)Samson and Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin. Larvae infected by fungus become stiff and are anchored to the plant by fungal threads. Later, they are completely covered in white fungus which produces a velvety layer of spores under moist conditions, green in the case of N. rileyi or white for Beauveria spp. These spores infect other larvae and other species of insects producing fungal threads which penetrate their bodies.

TExAS Root Rot (Phymatotrichopsisomnivore)

Texas root rot is an extremely damaging fungal diseasewith a wide host range. It causes sudden death ofaffected plants, usually during the warmer months. Incotton, infection can result in 100% crop loss. If thisdisease became established in Australia, control wouldbe extremely difficult as management using rotationsand fungicides is usually only partially effective.Symptoms include yellowing or bronzing of leaves,leaves wilt and die; dead leaves usually remain onplant. At this stage, roots are dead and surface iscovered with network of tan fungal strands.

Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum F. sp. vasinfectum - Exotic Strains)

Fusarium wilt is a fungal disease. Strains ofFusarium were identified in Australia in 1993however the introduction of new strains (races)would increase the difficulty of management as newresistant varieties would be required.External symptoms can appear in the crop atany stage but most commonly appear in eitherthe seedling phase or after flowering when bollsare filling. Leaves appear dull and wilted beforeyellowing or browning progresses to eventual deathfrom the top of the plant. Seedlings may either wiltand die or survive, but often with stunted growth.Adult plants may wilt and die, especially underconditions of stress. Some affected plants mayre-shoot from the base of the stem. Lengthwisecutting of the stem from affected plants will showcontinuous brown discolouration of the tissue.The internal discolouration is similar to that ofVerticillium wilt but usually appears as continuousbrowning rather than flecks. Sometimes thediscolouration is visible in only one side of thestem. External symptoms do not always reflect theextent of discolouration in the stem.

Blue Disease

Blue disease is a virus specific to cotton that canreduce yield potential by up to 20%. It is spread bya vector, the cotton aphid. It has been associatedwith plants infected with cotton leaf roll dwarf virus(CLRDV) and has similarities with cotton bunchytop, anthocyanosis and cotton leaf roll. It is notknown if the same pathogen causes all these diseasesor if there are multiple pathogens causing similarsymptoms. CLRDV was not detected from Australiancotton affected by cotton bunchy top disease. Cottonblue disease affected leaves tend to be smaller, thick,more brittle and leathery and have an intense greento bluish colour with yellow veins. Reddening of stempetioles and leaf veins can occur in some infections.Leaf edges tend to roll downwards and under andplants become stunted due to a shortening of thebranch internodes and produce many branches,giving a bunchy zig-zag stem habit. Symptoms aremore obvious in plants infected at an early age andstunting is more pronounced. Infected plants alsoproduce smaller bolls and boll shed may occur. Singleinfected plants can be overlooked if overgrown bynearby healthy plants.

Cotton Leaf Curl Disease (CLCUD)

CLCuD, sometimes referred to as Gemini virus, cancause yield losses of up to 35% in cotton. It is spreadby a whitefly vector. There are at least seven differentbegomoviruses and several different DNA satellitemolecules associated with CLCuD. A cotton plantneeds to be infected with at least one begomovirusand one satellite to develop CLCuD.Symptoms of CLCuD are seen on leaves andinitially appear as a swelling and darkening of leafveins, followed by a deep downward cupping of theyoungest leaves then either an upward or downwardcurling of the leaf margins. Leaf-like structures(enations) on the veins are common and vary in sizefrom only a few millimetres in diameter to almostthe size of a normal leaf. These larger structures areoften cup-shaped.

Indian Green Jassid (Amrascadevestans)

Indian green jassid is a sap-sucking insect pest thatcan cause yield losses of up to 25%. While several‘jassid' species are found in Australian cotton .The damage they cause is relatively minor, rarely if everaffecting yield. Green jassids inject a toxin as they feed that causes leaves and bolls to drop and canstunt plant growth. Elsewhere green jassids can bemanaged using resistant varieties and insecticides.Hairy-leafed varieties are used in parts of Africa andthe sub-continent where cotton is hand harvestedto provide effective resistance against green jassids.Such varieties are not suitable for mechanical harvestas the leaf hairs cause excessive leaf trash in thecotton lint.

Bugs

Bigeyed Bug

The huge eyes on the bigeyed bug, Geocoris lubra Kirkaldy provide easy identification. The cylindrical, white eggs are laid singly on terminals and under leaves. Adults and nymphs are fast-moving, daytime hunters of a range of soft-bodied insects and mites which they kill with piercing/sucking mouthparts. Numbers in cotton are highest during flowering. Germalus sp. is a slightly larger, related species also common in cotton but the two may be distinguished by colour. Geocoris is dark brown to black whereas Germalus is brown and green.

Brown Smudge Bug

The habits of the brown smudge bug, Deraeocoris signatus (Distant) are not well known, though it has been found to feed on heliothis eggs, aphids and the apple dimpling bug. The maroon coloured nymphs and the adults are very aggressive predators of mites. It is most abundant in unsprayed cotton in December, January and February.

Damsel Bug

The damsel bug, Nabis kinbergii Reuter inserts its eggs singly into soft plant tissues so that the circular emergence caps protrude above the surface. Nymphs are small and wingless but otherwise similar to the adults. Nymphs and adults use piercing/sucking 'beaks' to feed on many insects including eggs and larvae of moths, mites and aphids. They are usually present in any kind of crop infested with caterpillars. Maximum numbers occur in unsprayed cotton at the same time as maximum numbers of heliothis larvae. Adult damsel bugs may be found on weeds and crops during winter.

Glossy Shield Bug

Larvae including those of loopers and heliothis are the usual food of the glossy shield bug, Cermatulus nasalis (Westwood) and its nymphs. The black eggs which are laid in 'rafts' of 50 or more have short, white spines around the rim. Nymphs are dark red and brown with the early instars being bright red. Maximum numbers are found in unsprayed cotton during midsummer. In early summer they can be found in linseed and lucerne crops infested with heliothis. This species is easily confused with the brown shield bug.

Pirate Bugs

Pirate bugs, Orius spp. prey on thrips and eggs of other insect pests in cotton. They often appear in large numbers at flowering when thrips are in abundance.

Predatory Shield Bug

The predatory shield bug, Oechalia schellenbergii (Guerin-Meneville) is another species which feeds with piercing/sucking mouthparts mainly on caterpillars. Adults can be found at any time of year on weeds or crops infested with caterpillars. The black eggs are laid in 'rafts' usually in multiples of 14, with long, white spines around the rim. The nymphs are dark red and brown. Adults and nymphs are usually most abundant in cotton from December to February.

Spiders

Flower or crab spidersFlower or crab spiders, (family Thomisidae) have crab-like legs and are often brightly coloured. They specialise in hiding on flowers where they are well camouflaged and ambush small insects attracted to nectar and pollen. They make no web but females cover their eggs with a silken shelter, usually under leaves.

Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders (family Salticidae) have two particularly large, forward-facing eyes which give them excellent binocular vision. They rest during the night and actively roam plants during the day jumping on prey detected by eyesight. They are generalist predators but have been observed eating jassids and small heliothis larvae. Except for the first pair, the legs are relatively short. Most species on cotton are predominantly dark or grey in colour.

Lynx Spiders

Lynx spiders, Oxyopes spp. are active hunters usually seen near the tops of plants. They do not make a web but use their good eyesight to locate prey, then jump on it from a distance. Their legs bear numerous characteristic spines. Their abdomens are narrow and pointed and usually pale brown to green and striped. As in almost all spiders, the young disperse by 'ballooning' from tall plants where the silk is played out into the breeze until the pull lifts and carries them away. Most spiders arrive on cotton in this way in early summer and do not mature and reproduce until the crop is flowering. Lynx spiders are generalist predators like most spiders and have been observed eating small helicoverpa larvae and jassids and are known as important predators of Mirids (Cotton Flea hopper) in the United States.

Nightstalking Spiders

Small nightstalking spiders, Cheiracanthium spp. are pale yellow with a faint grey mark on the abdomen. The 'head' of larger specimens may become pale orange (yellow nightstalking sac spider - Cheiracanthium mordax L. Koch). During the day they hide in silken retreats, often under leaves and during the night they stalk over plants searching for slow-moving prey. They will eat heliothis eggs as well as larvae. Mating takes place in midsummer in large silk retreats and the females guard their eggs in the retreats until they hatch.

Cotton Plants and Types of Cotton Species

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Cotton is produced by small trees and shrubs belonging to the mallow family, which also includes hibiscus, okra, and the swamp mallow. The immature flower bud, called a square, blossoms and develops into an oval boll that splits open at maturity, revealing a mass of long white seed hairs, called lint, that cover a large number of brown or black seeds. When fully mature and dry, each of these hairs is a thin flattened tubular cell with a pronounced spiral twist and is attached to a seed. The length of the individual fibers ranges from 1.3 to 6 cm (0.5 to 2.5 in). Shorter fibers that grow from the seeds are called linters.

A few species are grown commercially; these range from a small tree of Asia, to the common American Upland cotton, a low, multibranched shrub that is grown as an annual.

Another species includes the long-fiber Egyptian and Sea Island cottons botanically derived from the Egyptian species brought to the United States about 1900.

Sea Island Cotton

Sea island Cotton thrives in the unique climate of the Sea Islands, located off the southeastern coast of the United States, and on the islands of the West Indies such as Barbados.

Egyptian Cotton

As with Egyptian cotton, the fiber is white and lustrous but its fiber length is longer than that of any other type of cotton, which permits the spinning of extremely fine yarns.

Pima or American-Egyptian Cotton

Pima, originally called American-Egyptian cotton, is a hybrid type. It is the only variety of long-fiber cotton now grown in commercially significant quantities in the United States, where it is cultivated under irrigation in the Southwest. Genetically modified cotton seeds have also been introduced, resulting in greater yields.

Upland Cotton

In the U.S. there are fourteen major cotton growing states that produce Upland cotton. They are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Some cotton is also grown in Florida, Kansas and New Mexico. American Pima cotton is grown in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. All of these states form a region in the United States known as the Cotton Belt and have three things in common, lots of sunshine, water and fertile soil, very important to growing a good cotton crop.

Upland cotton being the most common type in the U.S. has a staple length (length of fiber) of 13/16 to 1 ¼ inches. The American Pima has a staple length of 1 5/16 to 1 ½ inches. These plant types grow and mature at different rates and lengths of time, but basically mature within a 30 day period of each other.

Cotton plants have a general time frame in which they grow and produce after planting (introducing the seed to moist soil). With ideal conditions, the planted cotton seed will germinate (to begin to grow) or sprout and emerge in about five to ten days. The first 2 leaves that are visible on the young cotton plant are seedling leaves called cotyledons (cot-a-lee-dons). They are useful for absorbing sunlight into the plant. The sunlight is then converted through a process known as photosynthesis, into nourishing carbohydrates that will help the plant grow.

In about two to four weeks they turn over the photosynthetic task to true leaves (leaves produced subsequent to the cotyledons) which continue the feeding process for the duration of the plants life. The plant continues to grow, adding leaves and height, and in approximately five to seven weeks, small flower buds called squares (a small flower bud covered with fringed leaf-like parts called bracts) will appear on the cotton plant. As this square develops, the bud swells and begins to push through the bracts until it opens into an attractive flower. Within three days, the flower will pollinate (the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of the same or another flower) itself, change from a creamy white or yellow color to a pinkish red, and then wither and fall, exposing a small, green, immature cotton boll (a segmented pod containing 32 immature seeds from which the cotton fibers will grow). This boll is considered a fruit because it contains seeds. As the fibers continue to grow and thicken within the segmented boll, it enlarges until it becomes approximately the size of a small fig. Now, the cotton fibers have become mature and thickened with their primary growth substance, cellulose (a carbohydrate, the chief component of the cell wall in most plants). An average boll will contain nearly 500,000 fibers of cotton and each plant may bear up to 100 bolls.

In about 140 days after planting or 45 days after bolls appear, the cotton boll will begin to naturally split open along the bolls segments or carpels and dry out, exposing the underlying cotton segments called locks. These dried carpels are known as the bur, and it's the bur that will hold the locks of cotton in place when fully dried and fluffed, ready for picking.

The growth cycle of the various cotton species vary in length, but the sequence of fruit production remain the same. Weather, insects and moisture can adversely affect optimum conditions for plant growth and it is the farmer's responsibility to adjust to these conditions to optimize yield.

Cotton Seeds

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Cottonseed mills, in the late 1800's, used manual powered mechanical pressure to squeeze the oil from the seed. This was very labor intensive and at best recovered only one-half the oil contained in the seed. Today's mills are either screw press or solvent extraction types. The oil is removed from the meats leaving only 1-2 percent oil in the meats. With the production of 790 lbs. of cottonseed per bale of cotton lint, modern mills can extract 140 pounds of cottonseed oil. This essentially doubles the oil production efficiency of the older mills.

Processing of cottonseed in modern mills involves a number of steps. The first step is its entry into the shaker room where, through a number of screens and air equipment, twigs, leaves and other trash are removed. The cleaned seed is then sent to gin stands, similar to those in cotton saw gins, where the linters are removed from the seed (delinted).

This linter removal process is usually done twice and the fibers are collected and pressed into 600 pound bales. The linters of the highest grade, referred to as first-cut linters (longer more resilient fibers) are used in manufacturing non-chemical products, such as medical supplies, twine, and candle wicks. The second-cut linters (short fibers or fuzz), removed in further delinting steps, are incorporated in chemical products, found in various foods, toiletries, film, and paper.

The delinted seeds now go to the huller. The huller removes the tough seed coat with a series of knives and shakers. The knives cut the hulls (tough outer shell of the seed) to loosen them from the kernels (the inside meat of the seed, rich in oil) and shakers separate the hulls and kernels. The kernels are now ready for oil extraction and the hulls are sent to storage to be sold for livestock feed. Some industrial uses for hulls have been developed and are being tested. A plastic containing hulls as a major ingredient has been used in producing small parts for textile machinery. Hulls are often incorporated in the mud used in oil well drilling. They are also used in the production of synthetic rubber and in petroleum refining.

The meats (kernels) are now prepared for oil extraction. They pass through flaking rollers made of heavy cast iron, spinning at high speeds. This presses the meats into thin flakes. These flakes then travel to a cooker where they are cooked at 170 degrees F to reduce their moisture levels. In screw press mills, the kernels flow directly into a press which has a screw or worm gear revolving inside a horizontal steel barrel. This meat grinder type action exposes the flakes to extremely high pressure, 10 to 12 tons per square inch, forcing 96% of the oil from the meats. In the solvent extraction mills, the cooked meats are flaked to about the thickness of paper and exposed to live steam and high pressure. This action ruptures the oil cells making the oil accessible for the solvent extraction process.

The prepared meats are conveyed to the extractor and washed with hexane (organic solvent that dissolves out the oil) removing up to 98% of the oil. This hexane-oil mixture is called miscella. The miscella is pumped out of the extractor and is distilled by boiling the hexane from the mixture and condensing it with cooling water. The hexane is reused over and over again. The crude cottonseed oil is then ready for further processing and the de-oiled meats are subjected to live steam for removal of residual hexane. The meats are then dried and ground to produce a 41% protein livestock feed, called cottonseed meal. Cottonseed meals' major value is the high protein it contains to build muscle, nerve, blood and hair. A small amount of cottonseed meal is used for fertilizer. Its organic matter improves soil texture and reduces watering needs.

Crude cottonseed oil requires further processing before it may be used for food. The first step in this process is refining. With the scientific use of heat, sodium hydroxide and a centrifuge (equipment used to separate substances through spinning action), the dark colored crude oil is transformed into a transparent, yellow oil. This clear oil may then be bleached with a special bleaching clay to produce a transparent, amber colored oil. Upon further processing, the oil is deodorized or treated so it will remain clear and have no unwanted flavors.
Cottonseed oil is used in several products. Depending on its stage of refinement, it can be used in snack foods, mayonnaise, margarine, baking or frying oils, explosives, cosmetics, rubber, soap, insecticides and many other products. Foodstuff cottonseed oil has superior nutritive qualities and is on the American Heart Association's list of "okay foods".

Although fiber is the most valuable product from a cotton field, it is important to remember that this versatile plant also provides many products for human and animal consumption. It is from this perspective that cotton becomes a food crop.

Geographical Conditions for Growing Cotton

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Cotton Geography in United States

The most famous cotton growing area in the United States is the 'cotton belt' which refers to a large area from southern Virginia to western Texas, excluding most of Florida but including major parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee as well as the adjoining corners of Missouri and Kentucky. The most important of these in area, yield and production is the Mississippi alluvial plain. The outer limit of the cotton belt corresponds to the 200 day growing season and rough topography in the north, low and uncertain rainfall in the west and poorly drained coastal marshland on the south and heavy autumn rainfall in the east.
The desert valleys of the lower Colorado basin in the California and Arizona resemble the famous Egyptian long-staple cotton growing region in respect of dry season and almost continuous sunshine. The dry climate reduces the danger of the boll weevil. Flat and fertile land, long growing season, and irrigation water are the bases for the yields per acre more than twice the national average.

Cotton Geography in Russia

Cotton growing has made remarkable progress in Russia. Also, a land and water reform was introduced in the cotton growing former Soviet republics Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia etc. during the very first years of socialist construction. Large state and collective cotton growing farms came into being in central Asia, Kazakhstan and Transcaucasia. Advanced agrotechnical methods were introduced into cotton growing practice and extensive work of irrigation was carried out as a sequel to the radical land reform measures.
The areas's principal cotton growing base is Uzbekistan where most of the cotton production is localized and which represents more than 60% of the ex-Soviet countries cotton acreage. The second, third, fourth and the fifth places go to the credit of the Turkmen, the Azerbaijan, the Tajik, and the Kazak respectively. The Kirghiz and Armenian Union republics are also other important producers.

Cotton Geography in China

Since 1949 a great deal has been achieved with regard to cotton cultivation. Research on methods of cultivation and new varieties has not only increased output in the established and high-yielding areas of Kiangsu, Hupeh, Honan and Shensi but also has opened new or previously little developed regions. New varieties have enabled Liaoning, which has only 150-160 frost less days, to produce successfully long-staple cotton. Expansion of the growing area and consequently the output of cotton in Sinkiang are to a large extent attributable to development of irrigation.

Cotton Geography in Egypt

The Nile valley of Egypt is unquestionably the best cotton field in the world. The highly fertile alluvial soil of the Nile delta, long fertilized by the flood waters, with almost continuous sunshine and warmed by a climate in which there is a steady rise in temperature from spring to summer and steady decline from summer to autumn yields a return, nearly double the amount obtained in the United States. Largest acreage than any other crop is sown with cotton, and this represents more than 20% of the cultivated land. Increase in cotton acreage is greatly limited by the absence of irrigation facilities. However, the construction of the Aswan Dam near the Sudanese border has gone a long way in the development of cotton cultivation in Egypt. Egypt accounts for about 17% of the world's cotton exports. With regard to the export of long-staple cotton Egypt is a source of envy with its world share of about 25%. Production of long-staple cotton, developed from the Egyptian v arieties, has spread with varying degrees of success in the irrigated area of India, Pakistan, Sudan, Peru, Russia, and the southwestern United States.

Cotton Geography in Brazil

Brazil held the sixth position in the world in 1987-88 in the production of cotton. The former sugar lands of northeastern Brazil accounts for about 25% of the national output. Both long yet strong fibered 'tree cotton' and regular short-staple varieties are grown. The rest of the Brazilian output originates from Sao Paulo where coffee and cotton vary m acreage and importance according to fluctuations in world prices and demand.

Cotton Geography in Mexico

Mexico represents less than 2% of the world's cotton in 1987-88. Major producing districts lie close to the U.S. border on the Colorado River delta and along the Rio Grande, and also in Oases in the dry interior and along the west coast.

Cotton Geography in Other Latin American Countries

Peruvian cotton is noted for its excellent quality. Peru grows its cotton along the coast under irrigation. Colombia and Argentina are the second and the third largest producers of cotton in South America. Bolivia, Equador, Paraguay and Venezuela are other cotton growing countries.

As many as 70 countries are engaged in the cultivation of cotton all over the world but more than 80% of cotton is grown in only nine countries.

Cotton Geography in India

With regard to cotton acreage, India is second to none in the world, but in total output she ranks a poor fourth; India contributes only 10% of the world production. Cotton holds the first position among the commercial crops in India if its manufacturing aspect is also taken into consideration.

Principal Cotton Producing Areas

The major cotton producing areas are the southern United States, Russia, India, Pakistan, Egypt, China and Brazil. The less important producers are Mexico, Sudan, Peru, Uganda, Turkey and Argentina.

World Trade in Raw Cotton

The principal exporters of raw cotton are the U.S.A. Egypt, Brazil, Pakistan, Uganda, Peru and Russia. During 1987-88 cotton exports of the U.S.A., Egypt, U.S.S.R., Brazil and Pakistan were 4.6 million bales, 1.6 million bales, 1.2 million bales, 0.8 million bales and 0.6 million bales of 500 lbs. each. Mexico, Peru, other African countries and Turkey exported 0.9 million bales, 0.3 million bales, 0.9 million bales and 0.4 million bales of 500 lbs each. U.K. is the principal customer of U.S.A.'s cotton. India's imports are confined to long staple cotton of 90 thousand metric tones annually from U.S.A., Kenya, U.A.R., Tanganyika and Sudan.

Harvesting of Cotton

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In the United States, production of the crop for a given year starts soon after harvesting the preceding fall, when many cotton farmers chop or shred the stalks with machines. The residue is plowed under and the land usually left rough until spring tillage. Planting time varies from the beginning of February in southern Texas to the beginning of June in the northern sections of the Cotton Belt.

A number of methods, chemical and mechanical, have been used to control weeds and grass, including intensive spraying of herbicide before and after planting. The cultivator, rotary hoe, and flame cultivator are also used to destroy weeds. Nearly all cotton grown in the United States is now harvested mechanically with spindle-type pickers or strippers. Pickers are used extensively in irrigated lands. The picker has vertical drums equipped with wire spindles that engage and pull the cotton from open bolls. Strippers are used primarily in western Texas and western Oklahoma. They are "once over" machines that pull the bolls from the plant.

Cotton is farmed intensively and uses large amounts of fertiliser and 25% of the worlds insecticide. Native Indian variety were rainwater fed, but modern hybrids used for the mills need irrigation, which spreads pests. The 5% of cotton bearing land in India uses 55% of all pesticides.Before mechanisation, cotton was havested manually and this unpleasant task was done by the lower castes, and in the United States by slaves of African origin.

Cultivation of Cotton and Production Methods

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Successful cultivation of cotton requires a long growing season, plenty of sunshine and water during the period of growth, and dry weather for harvest. In general, these conditions are met within tropical and warm subtropical latitudes in the northern and southern hemispheres. The U.S. Cotton Belt stretches from northern Florida to North Carolina and westward to California.

Production of Cotton

Before cotton can be processed into the many products it becomes. It must be planted, irrigated, nurtured with fertilizer, protected from unwanted weeds, grasses and insects and harvested. This usually means loosening the soil to the depth of 1 to 2 ½ feet with tillage equipment. This will allow water and cotton roots to penetrate the soil and support the plant.

A seedbed (the row in which the cotton seed will be planted) is prepared by listing (forming land into ridges and furrow) the soil. This allows for faster warming of the soil in the spring and directs irrigation water across the field. Small amounts of soil enriching nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, may be added to the soil at this time.

Planting may be done by hand, but in the more advanced regions of the world, mechanical planters are used. When the soil reaches optimum temperature, about 65 degrees, these implements will place the seeds in the soil, usually 1 to 2 inches deep, depending on soil type. The mechanical planters can cover as many as 12 rows at a time.

Preparation of Land for Cotton Cultivation

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Repeated ploughing is necessary to obtain a good tilth.

Every effort may be made to secure a pulverized surface.

Too much cultivation for cotton is not considered to possess any special benefits.

Running of blade harrow two or three times across the field produce a fairly good tilth.

After getting required tilth, the land is laid out into ridges and furrows with the help of a ridge plough or a bund former.

Ridging of land and sowing cotton on ridges economize the use of irrigation water and the furrows acts drainage channels whenever heavy rains are received particularly in heavy clays.

Ridging is very useful for sowing of seed by dibbling and later irrigation and also facilitates for better drainage.
Length of ridge/furrow depends on slope of land.

For good growth of cotton plants on deep black soils three things besides initial soil fertility are usually necessary.

a) The soil should be free from injurious weeds.
b) The soil should possess adequate moisture in the surface layers for the first few weeks after sowing.
c) It should be provided with good surface drainage thereafter to prevent water - logging.

Climatic Conditions and Soil

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Cotton is a Warm season (tropical) crop.It can be profitably grown in regions with rainfall of 850-1100 mm, but economic yields can not be realized in the region with a rainfall less than 500 mm.50cm of well-distributed rainfall is necessary for higher yields. In general, temperatures above 35 degree C are not desirable for cotton growing, however, when the moisture supply is favourable, the cotton plant is capable of enduring without permanent injury, very high temperatures (upto 43-45 degree C) for short periods. If these high temperatures persist for several days, however, the yields will be adversely affected.High light intensities throughout the growing period are essential for satisfactory vegetative development, for minimal shedding of buds and bolls and hence for higher yields.Cotton Crop can be grown up to 1000m altitude.

Soil requirements

Cotton has a wide range of soil adaptation and is grown on a great variety of soils. Highest yields of cotton are usually obtained on alluvial soils. High yield of cotton is dependent on favorable air and moisture regime in the soil-hence the importance of soil structure and texture.For a deep-rooting crop such as cotton, soil depth is also an important factor and shallow soils are not suitable. Cotton is not unduly sensitive to soil reactions; it can be grown on a variety of soils with pH ranging from 5 to 8 and above. Cotton is generally considered as fairly tolerant to salinity. Uptake of Sodium by cotton has been found to be much lower than would be expected from its relative abundance and availability in soil and water as was shown by the low accumulation of sodium in both tops and roots. This indicates that the relatively high salt-tolerance of cotton may be at least party due to the presence of some selective mechanism that enables cotton roots to restrict sodium absorption. With irrigation facilities, cotton is usually cultivated on sandy loam to loam soils.

Cotton Yields

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The world annual yield production of seed cotton has increased in a constant manner since the early 1960s (with an annual average around 2.2%). Yields in seed cotton rose from 0.86t/ha in 1960/61 to 2.14t/ha in 2006/07.

While during the 1960-1980, yields in developed countries were on average more than twice and a half those of developing countries, since the beginning of the 1980s the gap has increasingly narrowed, up to a ratio of 1.4 in 2005. Much of the rise in developing countries' share can be attributed to improved yields in China, mainly as a result of investment in research and innovation. Cotton fibre yields have also followed the same path than seed cotton yields. Over 1960/61-2006/07 period, fibre output per hectare (world average) grew from 0.3 tons to 0.8 tons. A world average around 0.86 tons is forecasted for 2012/13 by ICAC. Two large increase of the world yield have been recorded in 1980s (+2.5% per annum) and 2000s (according to the ICAC, annual growth rate may reach +3% over the 2000s).

The five largest producers in the period 1990-2006 were, by order of importance, China, the United States, India, Pakistan and the Commonwealth of Independent States (Uzbekistan in particular since 1992). Since the beginning of the 2000s, China recorded higher yields per hectare compared to the other countries with an average of 3.5 tons per hectare for seed cotton (almost 2.5 times the American yield over the period) and 1.1 tons per hectare for cotton fibre (0.82 tons per hectare for the United States).

Cotton Yields, China

Between 1990 and 2007 seed cotton and cotton fibres yields have been multiplied by 1.7 respectively reaching record crops for both seed cotton (4.21 tons per hectare) and cotton fibres (1.3 tons per hectare). ICAC predicted yields to follow this upward trend and finally reach 1.36 tons per hectare in 2012/13.

Cotton Yields, Uzbekistan

The former Soviet Union was able to produce higher cotton yields per hectare than the other major cotton producing countries before 1991. Since the collapse of the Soviet state and over the 1992-2007 period, productivity has been flattening. The annual average output of cottonseed yield of Uzbekistan (the main producing country of this geographical area) over the period 1992-2007 was of approximately 2.35 tons per hectare and of 0.76 tons per hectare for cotton fibre. ICAC's projections until the end of the decade plan a relative stability of yields for the crop years to come.

Cotton Yields, India

Indian cottonseed yields have dramatically increased since 2002/03, the average yield from 2003/04 to 2006/07 jumped by more than 50% compared to its level over the previous period (1990/91-2002/03). Indian ginning output is particularly high compared to other major producing countries.

Cotton Yields, United States

In regard to United States, second world producing country with 11.1 million tons of cottonseed since the beginning of the 2000s, productivity rate is far above world average yields (+16% above the world yield since the beginning of the decade). Despite this pretty high level, American yields remain far below the ones recorded by China (-14%) or Uzbekistan (-32%) for instance.

Cotton Yields, Pakistan

In regard to Pakistan, fourth world producing country, with an average output of 6 million tonnes of cottonseed grown (since 2000), yields are very similar to the world average.

Cotton Yields, Africa

Although cotton production in Africa is not significant on a global scale, a large number of African countries remain heavily dependent on cotton. For example, cotton accounts for 60% of foreign exchange earnings in Benin. Between 1990 and 2007, West African countries reported cotton yield per hectare at approximately 1.1 tons. Despite the fact that African yields globally remain below the ones of other producing countries, they have seemed to improve recently (+15% in 2000s compared to the average of the years 1990s). Cotton production and productivity levels vary considerably among African countries (e.g. yield in Tchad is 0.6 tons per hectare on average compared to Niger where it reaches 1.95 tons per hectare).

Besides West African countries, the case of Egypt deserves special consideration. Indeed, production and productivity levels were remarkably higher in Egypt than in any other African cotton producing country. Egypt produces nearly 740,000 tons of cotton over the 1990-2007 period (about a fifth of the continental production). In terms of productivity, between 1990 and 2007 its yield per hectare was at 2.4 tons, that is to say, Egypt produced per hectare more than double the cotton of the average West African countries. This performance originates in the fact that cotton is grown under irrigation in Egypt, a way of cultivation that is generally not used in West Africa.

Types of Cotton

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Egyptian Cotton

As the name suggests, this fine, lustrous cotton has long and thinner fibers. This cotton fiber is light brown in color and are ideal for making strong yarns. This is the reason why it is one of the most popular types of cotton used for bed sheets, cushion covers, etc.

Sea Island Cotton

Sea Island Cotton happens to be a 'pricey affair' for its growth and processing in the world of cottons. Its long staple and silky texture make it to be used in the finest cotton counts and mixed with silk. So, whenever you notice the label of 'sea island cotton' on shirt, know that the piece might get a little heavy on your pockets. Get some tips on how to grow cotton.

Pima Cotton

The pima cotton belongs to the ELS (extra long staple) types of cotton and is popular for its long, smooth fibers. It has a quality that is comparable to that of the Egyptian cotton. The strength, softness, durability and absorbency of the Pima cotton makes it one one of the popular and finest types of cotton for clothing, towels and sheets.

Asiatic Cotton

India, China and the Near east are the places which are the growers of this kind of cotton. It has coarse and harsh fibers and thus, is suitable for manufacturing products like blankets, filters, coarse clothes, padding materials and the like.

American Upland Cotton

One of the most commonly used types of cotton is the American Upland cotton. It is less expensive and of a basic quality, and is also used to make several types of fabrics. The versatility of the cotton makes it usable for manufacturing expensive shirts and denim.

Other Types of Cotton

Canton Cotton

Bamboo Cotton

Cotton Twill

French Terry Cotton

Honey Comb Cotton

Oxford Chambray Cotton

Types of Indian Cotton

India grows all the four major types of cotton -

G arboretum

G hirsutum

G herbaceum

G barbadense

The first hybrid in the cotton crop was developed in India, in Surat, by Dr C T Patel (H4 intra hirsutum in 1970) - more than 200 varieties and hybrids were evolved in the subsequent five decades. Hybrids occupy around 45% of cotton crop in India, as in 1998. Important landmarks in the Indian cotton history include the development and release of native hybrids like G cot DH 37, G cot DH 9, DDH 2 and drought tolerant straight varieties like SRT 1, Renuka, LRA 5166, Anjali and Rajat.

Characteristics of Cotton

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Cotton is a natural fibre of vegetable origin, like linen, jute or hemp. Mostly composed of cellulose (a carbohydrate plant substance) and formed by twisted, ribbon-like shaped fibres, cotton is the fruit of a shrubby plant commonly referred to as the "cotton plant". The cotton plant, a variety of plants of the genus Gossypium, belongs to the Malvacae family, which comprises approximately 1,500 species, also including the baobab tree, the bombax or the mallow.

The plant, growing up to 10 metres high in the wild, has been domesticated to range between 1 to 2 metres under commercial cultivation in order to facilitate picking. Either herbaceous or ligneous, it thrives in dry tropical and subtropical areas. Whereas by nature the plant is a perennial tree (lasting about 10 years), under extensive cultivation it is mostly grown as an annual shrub. The cotton flower has five large petals (showy, white, white-creamy, or even rose in colour), which soon fall off, leaving capsules, or "cotton bolls", having a thick and rigid external layer. The capsule bursts open upon maturity, revealing the seeds and masses of white/creamy and downy fibres.

Cotton fibres of the Gossypium hirsutum species range from about 2 to 3 centimetres in length, whereas Gossypium barbadense cotton produces long-staple fibres up to 5 centimetres length. Their surface is finely indented, and they become kinked together and interlocked. The cotton plant is almost exclusively cultivated for its oleaginous seeds and for the seminal fibres growing from them (i.e. cotton, strictly speaking). In ordinary usage, the term "cotton" also makes reference to fibres that are made into fabric wires suitable for use in the textile industry.

Although the cotton plant is native to tropical countries, cotton production is not limited to the tropics. Indeed, the emergence of new varieties, as well as advances in cultivation techniques led to the exapansion of its culture within an area straddling from approximately 47 degrees North latitude (Ukraine) to 32 degrees South (Australia). Although cotton is widely planted in both hemispheres, it remains a sun-loving plant highly vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Cotton is crucially important to several developing countries. Out of the 65 cotton-producing countries in 2007/08, 52 were developing countries, 21 of which were indexed by the United Nations among the least developed countries (LDCs).

Cotton is of utmost importance to developing countries, particularly in West and Central Africa, where around 10 million people depend on the sector for their revenues. Besides being a major natural fibre crop, cotton also provides edible oil and seed by-products for livestock food. Cottonseed oil is a vegetable oil ranking fifth in world use among edible oils (accounting for about 4% of world consumption of vegetable oil). The cottonseed meal is usually used as roughage in the diet of cattle for its high proteinic and energetic value.
On about fifty species of cotton plants within the world only four are domestically cultivated for their fibres. The most commonly cultivated species of cotton in the world include Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense (also referred to as "New World" species). Gossypium hirsutum originated in Mexico. It is the most important agricultural cotton, accounting for more than 90% of world fibre production. Gossypium barbadense, of Peruvian origin, accounts for about 5% of world fibre. It includes cotton fibres of the highest quality, such as the Jumel variety (from the Barbados), among the finest cotton in terms of quality and fibre length.

Two additional cultivated species are Gossypium arboreum (which originated in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent) and Gossypium herbaceum (from southern Africa), which are also called "Old World" or "Asiatic cottons". These two varieties of cotton with short staple-length fibre have no commercial value per se (only 5% of world production alltogether). However, several varieties that are grown on a commercial scale botanically derive therefrom.

History of Cotton

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Cotton is a natural vegetable fiber of great economic importance as a raw material for cloth. Its widespread use is largely due to the ease with which its fibers are spun into yarns. Cotton's strength, absorbency, and capacity to be washed and dyed also make it adaptable to a considerable variety of textile products.

Cotton was cultivated by the inhabitants of the Indus Valley Civilization between the Fifth millennium BC to fourth millennium BC. The Indus cotton industry was well developed and some methods used in cotton spinning and fabrication continued to be used until the modern Industrialization of India. Well before the Common Era the use of cotton textiles had spread from India to the Mediterranean and beyond.

Cotton has been spun, woven, and dyed since prehistoric times. It clothed the people of ancient India, Egypt, and China. Hundreds of years before the Christian era cotton textiles were woven in India with matchless skill, and their use spread to the Mediterranean countries.

In the 1st century Arab traders brought fine muslin and calico to Italy and Spain.

The Moors introduced the cultivation of cotton into Spain in the 9th century.

Fustians and dimities were woven there and in the 14th century. in Venice and Milan, at first with a linen warp. Little cotton cloth was imported to England before the 15th century, although small amounts were obtained chiefly for candlewicks.

By the 17th century. the East India Company was bringing rare fabrics from India. Native Americans skillfully spun and wove cotton into fine garments and dyed tapestries. Cotton fabrics found in Peruvian tombs are said to belong to a pre-Inca culture. In color and texture the ancient Peruvian and Mexican textiles resemble those found in Egyptian tombs.

According to the Foods and Nutrition Encyclopedia, the earliest cultivation of cotton discovered thus far in the Americas occurred in Mexico, some 8,000 years ago. The indigenous species was Gossypium hirsutum which is today the most widely planted species of cotton in the world, constituting about 90% of all production worldwide. The greatest diversity of wild cotton species is found in Mexico, followed by Australia and Africa.

In Iran (Persia), the history of cotton dates back to Achaemenid era (5th century B.C.), however there are few sources about the implantation of cotton in Pre-Islamic Iran. The implantation of cotton was common in Merv, Ray and Pars of Iran (Persia).

In Peru, cultivation of the indigenous cotton species Gossypium barbadense was the backbone of the development of coastal cultures such as the Norte Chico, Moche and Nazca. Cotton was grown upriver, made into nets and traded with fishing villages along the coast for large supplies of fish. The Spanish who came to Mexico in the early 1500s found the people growing cotton and wearing clothing made of it.

During the late medieval period, cotton became known as an imported fiber in northern Europe, without any knowledge of how it was derived, other than that it was a plant; noting its similarities to wool, people in the region could only imagine that cotton must be produced by plant-borne sheep. John Mandeville, writing in 1350, stated as fact the now-preposterous belief: "There grew there [India] a wonderful tree which bore tiny lambs on the endes of its branches. These branches were so pliable that they bent down to allow the lambs to feed when they are hungrie. This aspect is retained in the name for cotton in many European languages, such as German Baumwolle, which translates as "tree wool" (Baum means "tree"; Wolle means "wool"). By the end of the 16th century, cotton was cultivated throughout the warmer regions in Asia and the Americas.

Cotton remained a key crop in the southern economy after emancipation and the end of the civil war in 1865. Across the South, sharecropping evolved, in which free black farmers worked on white-owned cotton plantations in return for a share of the profits. Cotton plantations required vast labor forces to hand-pick cotton, and it was not until the 1950s that reliable harvesting machinery was introduced into the South (prior to this, cotton-harvesting machinery had been too clumsy to pick cotton without shredding the fibers). During the early twentieth century, employment in the cotton industry fell as machines began to replace laborers, and as the South's rural labor force dwindled during the First and Second World Wars. Today, cotton remains a major export of the southern United States, and a majority of the world's annual cotton crop is of the long-staple American variety.

Global Cotton Industry Overview

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The cotton industry is constantly striving to develop new and improved methods for producing quality products at a reasonable price. The cotton industry continues to look toward the future at further improving their product while providing employment opportunities for millions of people in a variety of related areas.
Cotton related job opportunities can be found from the farm where the cotton is produced to the department store where the garments are sold. Cotton supports the dairy industry by providing a source of food for the milk cows.

Cotton seed can be processed to produce oil for cooking and blending with food products. Jobs can be found in the trucking and transportation industry as it is often transported thousands of miles from the cotton gins to the cotton mills, and then again to the distribution outlets.

Transforming the cotton boll through the processes of delinting and cleaning at the gin to processing at the mill for spinning and weaving fabric requires a trained labor force.

The dying of fabric and the assembly of clothing and other products can provide employment for many. High quality papers requiring cotton and paper mills employ thousands annually. The fashion industry needs trained individuals to select the proper combination of fabrics and design to market them to the public. Fashion models rely on these products in their profession. The cotton industry continues to find new and improved uses for cotton worldwide and the public fuels continuous demand for this important commodity. With cotton having all these uses and benefits, it has certainly lived up to the name it was given years ago...."White Gold".

Cotton supports the livelihoods of at least 10 million people in West and Central Africa, where it is a typical, and often dominant, smallholder cash crop. Because it is one of the few viable cash crops in this area of Africa, developments in world markets for the fiber have major implications in the fight against rural poverty. A 40 percent reduction in price-equivalent to the price decline from December 2000 to May 2002-is estimated to imply a 7 percent reduction in rural income in Benin, a typical West African cotton pro-ducer (Minot and Daniels 2002). Cotton also has macroeconomic significance in several countries of the region, as it accounts for approximately 40 percent of total merchandise export earnings in Benin and Burkina Faso, and 30 percent in Chad and Mali. Its contribu-tion to GDP in these and other developing countries ranges from 5 to more than 8 percent.

The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) estimates that 100 million rural households were involved in cotton production worldwide in 2001. Among the countries in which cotton is an important contributor to rural livelihoods are China, India, and Pakistan-where 45, 10, and 7 million rural households, respectively were en-gaged in cotton production. In African producing countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Mali, and Zimbabwe, the number of rural households depending on cotton totaled 6 million.

In the early 2000s, low cotton prices, combined with high support for the sector in some of the major producing countries, brought several reactions. Some West African gov-ernments were forced to support their cotton growers directly from the government budget, as the price of cotton on the world market fell below the cost of producing it. In India, a minimum-price-guarantee mechanism was triggered, prompting the government to provide $0.5 billion in support in 2002. Brazil initiated a consultation process before the World Trade Organization (WTO), claiming losses to its cotton exports due to subsidies by the United States. More recently, four West African cotton producing countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali) have pressed through the WTO for removal of support to the cotton sector.

The importance of these issues has been widely recognized by the international community, and several strategic planning meetings have been convened by the World Bank (jointly with the International Cotton Advisory Committee), the European Commis-sion, and the WTO. In the context of the current meeting, the objective of this paper is to review the market setting and the global and country-specific policy issues, the responses to date of the significant players in the cotton market, and possible options for individual country policy-makers and international donors.