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Cotton
is a soft fiber that grows around the seeds of the cotton
plant. The fiber is most often spun into thread and used to
make a soft, breathable textile, which is the most widely
used natural-fiber cloth in clothing today.
Cotton fiber consists of nearly pure cellulose, a natural
polymer. Cotton production is very efficient, in the sense
that, ten percent or less of the weight is lost in subsequent
processing to convert the raw cotton bolls into pure fiber.
The cellulose is arranged in a way that gives cotton fibers
a high degree of strength, durability, and absorbency.
Cotton is used to make a number of textile products. These
include terrycloth, used to make highly absorbent bath towels
and robes, denim, used to make blue jeans, chambray, popularly
used in the manufacture of blue work shirts (from which we
get the term "blue-collar"), along with corduroy,
seersucker, and cotton twill. Socks, underwear, and most T-shirts
are made from cotton. Bed sheets are also often made from
cotton. Cotton is also used to make yarn used in crochet and
knitting. Fabric can also be made from recycled or recovered
cotton that would otherwise be thrown away during the spinning,
weaving or cutting process. While many fabrics are made completely
of cotton, some materials blend cotton with other fibers,
including rayon and synthetic fibers such as polyester.
In addition to the textile industry, cotton is used in fishnets,
coffee filters, tents and in bookbinding. The first Chinese
paper was made of cotton fiber, as is the modern US dollar
bill and federal stationery. Fire hoses were once made of
cotton.
The cottonseed which remains after the cotton is ginned is
used to produce cottonseed oil, which after refining can be
consumed by humans like any other vegetable oil. The cottonseed
meal that is left is generally fed to livestock. In the past,
cotton seeds were used by women as an abortifacient.
Cotton is an enormously important commodity throughout the
world. However, many farmers in developing countries receive
a low price for their produce, or find it difficult to compete
with developed countries.
This has led to an international dispute:
On 27 September 2002 Brazil requested consultations with the
US regarding prohibited and actionable subsidies provided
to US producers, users and/or exporters of upland cotton,
as well as legislation, regulations, statutory instruments
and amendments thereto providing such subsidies (including
export credits), grants, and any other assistance to the US
producers, users and exporters of upland cotton.
The world cotton area and production are estimated at around
30-31 million hectares and 20 million tons respectively.
The biggest cultivators of cotton are America, India, China,
Egypt, Pakistan, Sudan and Eastern Europe, with China, US
and India being the three largest producers of cotton.
US has a considerable share in world exports. India and China
both fall short of their domestic requirement and are net
importers.
Among the consumers China leads the way being followed by
India, Pakistan, US and Turkey.
The northern region of India is the primary producer of short
and medium staple cotton, while the southern states primarily
grow long staples. The central region grows long and medium
staples.
India with an annual production of 15-16.5 million bales (1
bale=170 kg) is the World's third largest cotton producer.
India also has the largest area under cotton. India produces
around 11% of the world's cotton from 20% of the area.
The Ministry of Agriculture estimates India's cotton production
in 2003-04 at 123.9 lakh bales. However, other agencies peg
the production at 140-160 lakh bales.
Despite having the largest area under cotton in the world,
India ranks third in world output of cotton due to its abysmally
low average yield of 300 kg against a world average of 550
kg per hectare.
Although cotton is cultivated in almost all the states in
the country, the 9 states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka account for more than 95% of the area under
and output.
In India cotton is sown during March to September and harvested
during September to April. The peak marketing season for the
crop is during November to March.
Cotton is the most important raw material for India's Rs.
1,50,000 crores textile industry, which accounts for nearly
20% of the total national industrial production and provides
employment to over 15 million people.
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