50 Star US Inc.
One of the most valuable farming commodities in the world is cotton, which is produced in a boll that serves as a protective shell for the cotton fiber. The chemical makeup of the fiber is primarily composed of cellulose, with small amounts of wax, pectins, and fats. Cotton fabric and clothing were produced in large quantities and at a low cost. Cotton fabric and yarn can range from very bulky fabric to the finest yarn to create "Muslin," earning cotton its nickname of "white gold" due to the profits gained from cultivation. Cotton fabric is the most comfortable cloth in the world because it is soft, breathable, and long-lasting.
Cultivation technique:
Issues and solutions:
Cotton is a plant that requires a lot more water than other types of crops. Cotton has a slightly higher water footprint than any other crop. Farmers decide whether to grow cotton using irrigation or rainwater as their primary method of irrigation.
The ideal growing conditions for cotton are those found in the tropics and subtropics of the Northern and Southern hemisphere, which have plenty of sunshine, no frost, and a reasonable amount of rainfall.
The way people see the world has changed ever since people discovered methods to cultivate without relying on the natural world and technology began to advance. The US's South Plain, which utilizes irrigation water from the Ogallala Aquifer, is currently the largest cotton-growing region in the world.
The biggest issue that arises during the cultivation procedure is the grey water footprint. According to the proposed solution, decreasing grey water footprint begins with the preparation of the ground for planting, growing, and harvesting.
Other issues include restricted resources, high crop yields, farmers' repayment, and sustainable harvesting. The organic and hybrid cultivation processes, which differ from the traditional cultivation method, can be used to address these issues.
To manage the ecological imbalance, organic processes use biological insect control methods, crop rotation, compost, and pesticides and fertilizers derived from nature. The limited resources are used with the utmost care and strategic planning thanks to this procedure. Compared to conventional goods, reusable and sustainable ones help to keep the environment and water much cleaner.
While the hybrid procedure combines organic and conventional methods to protect cotton plants from harmful pests. The choice of seeds, the preparation of the land, and the choice of fertilizer are all part of this procedure. The milestone that can be attained through this process is a decrease in the use of chemical fertilizers and an increase in water economy. Farmers now employ this method because it increases the likelihood of a successful yield.
Bangladesh's cotton farming
The government's efforts to market cotton fiber have led to a revival of cotton cultivation in Bangladesh, a country known for its textile and agriculture industries. Farmers in the south of the nation are interested in growing cotton because of its high yielding capacity. Because cotton can withstand salt and dry conditions, watering was made simpler for them.
Although cotton fiber has a finer weight than other local crops, the cost is greater. Cotton production may be one of the best ways to deal with the shortage of raw materials because Bangladesh is a nation whose GDP is heavily dependent on the textile industry.
Dr. Md Fakhre Alam Ibne Tabib, Additional Director of the Cotton Development Board (CDB), stated that cotton "could be a major cash crop" because the textile industry's demand for the crop is growing and we must spend $3 billion annually on importing it.
More than 15% of Bangladesh's export earnings go toward importing cotton from other areas. As a result, cotton imports to Bangladesh decreased from 8.5 million marketing bundle to 8 million in the marketing year 2022–2023, according to the USDA. This is a result of both the domestic low power supply and the rise in the price of raw cotton on the global market.
If precautions are taken, these issues can be resolved, and since the government has taken action, farmers are joyfully and satisfactorily cultivating cotton. The greatest yield was achieved by farmers in the Jessore district this fiscal year. The distribution of hybrid cotton seeds among them, which produces high yielding crops, as well as the alternative production of other veggies have stoked interest in growing hybrid cotton.
This year, cotton is expected to yield 2,181 seers per acre. The price of raw cotton is 3,800 BDT per kg, up from 3,600 BDT the previous year. The expected area needed to cultivate cotton crops was 16635 hectors. Nearly 2 tons of hybrid cotton seed were distributed to producers during the fiscal year 2021–2022. Because of the previous fiscal year's success, this estimate was raised by up to 3 tons. The expense of cultivation is roughly 12,000–15,000 taka per 0.33 acre, but the yield is 50,000–60,000 taka.
The Cotton Development Board (CPD) has been given the mandate to carry out research, produce, distribute, and sell seeds, increase cotton cultivation, and disperse loans among farmers. The only method to combat the recent issues created around the world is through process optimization and increased utilization. When the price increase is continuing, producing our own raw materials while reducing imports can conserve our foreign exchange.
In 13 zones, including greater Jashore, greater Kushtia, Rajshahi, Bogura, Rangpur, Thakurgaon, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and the three hill districts containing Khagrachari, the cotton board now conducts 27 on-farm trials.
The majority of cotton is sown between July and August, and it is typically collected between December and January. Currently, 45,000 hectares are under cultivation for cotton. In 2009–10, the amount was 31,500 hectares. Since 2009–10, the production amount has nearly doubled from its 2009–10 low of under 100,000 bales.
When high yielding and hybrid varieties were introduced, raw or seed cotton output increased from about 2,000 kg per hectare in 2009–10 to 4,000 kg per hectare today.
Comments