World Cotton Day 2022: 10 Interesting Facts About This Natural Fibre

The motive of celebrating World Cotton Day is to tell everyone about the benefit of this natural fibre through its evolution, individuals benefit, production & trade.

Purshottam Sharma, Ex-Deputy director, Govt of Rajasthan told Krishi Jagran that on World Cotton Day every year, they organize various events where eminent scientists, agriculture experts, and innovative cotton farmers participate and share their thoughts on the importance and production of cotton, every year.

He further said that they present awards to the progressive cotton farmers on this day.

Talking about diseases in cotton, he said pink bollworm is one of the most destructive pests that severely damaged cotton crops in Punjab, Haryana, and Northern Rajasthan last year. However, this year Rajasthan has seen lesser pink bollworm infestation.

Interesting Facts about Cotton

• Cotton is the most environmentally friendly raw material for the textile industry because it is renewable and biodegradable in comparison to synthetic alternatives.

• It is the only agricultural product that offers both food as well as fiber.

• Cotton is not a thirsty crop that many people think. Because it is a xerophyte, it can grow in dry, arid environments where other crops cannot grow.

• Only 3% of the world's land is used for agriculture, yet 27% of the world's textile demands are satisfied by cotton.

• Cotton is a resilient, adaptable plant with an indeterminate life cycle that can be grown year-round, even in challenging conditions.

• The majority of customers believe that cotton is the best material for athletic apparel, and more than two-thirds believe that 100% cotton bedding provides the best sleep possible.

• More than just soft fabric is made from cotton! The oil produced from a tonne of cottonseed can be used for cooking, making cosmetics and soap, among other things. Cottonseed meal and cake can be used as fertilizer and animal feed.

• The largest cotton-producing countries are China and India, followed by the United States of America and Brazil. More than 75 countries cultivate cotton, which generates an annual income for hundreds of millions of people all over the world.

• A single tonne of cotton provides year-round employment for 5 or 6 people, often in some of the most underdeveloped regions on earth.

• The entire cotton plant is used, and there is no waste.

• The main purpose for farming cotton is for its fibre, and the seeds are used for animal feed and human use (cottonseed oil)