India's Textiles Min & CITI to host Global Cotton Conference on Oct 7

Held under the theme ‘Cotton 2040: Technology, Climate & Competitiveness’, the day-long conference will explore pathways for achieving a more sustainable, technologically advanced, and competitive global cotton industry. The discussions aim to strengthen India’s role in shaping the future of the cotton value chain through innovation, sustainability, and farmer empowerment.

Opening Session

The event will begin with a Welcome Address by Ashwin Chandran, chairman, CITI & CMD, Precot Ltd, followed by an expert presentation on ‘Global Cotton Outlook for 2040: Long-run Trends in Technology, Climate, and Competitiveness’ by Dr. Terry Townsend, global consultant, Cotton Analytics, US.

Special and keynote addresses will be delivered by:

• Lalit Kumar Gupta, CMD, Cotton Corporation of India
• Dr. M. Beena (IAS), Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles
• Guest of honour Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State for Textiles & External Affairs
• Chief guest Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

The inaugural session will close with a Vote of Thanks by Dinesh Nolkha, deputy chairman, CITI & CMD, Nitin Spinners Ltd.

Session I: Enhancing Sustainability & Traceability in Textile Industry

Chaired by Dr. M. Beena (IAS), this session will focus on strategies for globally positioning Kasturi Cotton Bharat, maintaining integrity from farm to fashion, and promoting sustainable cotton certifications and standards. It will also emphasise technological innovations in cotton sustainability, supply chain transparency and traceability, and the importance of policy and regulatory support.

The panel includes:

• Dr. Siddhartha Rajagopal, Executive Director, TEXPROCIL
• Shreyaskar Chaudhary, Vice Chairman, CITI & MD, Pratibha Syntex Ltd
• Rahul Bhajekar, MD, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) India
• Brooke Summers, Supply Chain Consultant, Cotton Australia
• Dr. Rossitza Krueger, Project Manager India, GIZ
• Jyoti Narain Kapoor, Country Director, Better Cotton Initiative
• Khaled Schuman, Executive Director, Cotton Egypt Association

Session II: The Fabric of Our Lives – Cotton

Chaired by Insaf Nizam, Regional Specialist, FPRW, ILO, DWT for South Asia and CO India, this session will spotlight the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Rise for Impact initiative and its partnership with CITI in empowering cotton workers. The opening remarks will be given by moderator Bansari Nag, National Project Coordinator, FPRW in Cotton Supply Chain, ILO India.

Panellists include:

• Chandrima Chatterjee, secretary general, CITI
• Rajeev Gupta, joint managing director, RSWM Ltd
• Kuldeep Singh Gurjar, state general secretary, Madhya Pradesh, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)
• Shankhamala Sen, Program Implementation Manager, India, Organic Cotton Accelerator

Session III: Evolving Trends in Cotton Farming

Chaired by Devesh Chaturvedi (IAS), Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, this session will delve into the latest innovations in cotton cultivation, including mechanisation, biotechnology, carbon farming, and data-driven agronomy. The opening remarks for this session will be given by moderator Dr. Rajvir Singh Rathi, vice chairman, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), head- Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability IBSL, Crop Science Division, Bayer Crop Science Limited, New Delhi

Eminent experts like Dr. S. K. Shukla, director, ICAR – CIRCOT, Dr. Rajendran Ramasami, managing director, Rasi Seeds, Dr. Paresh Verma, CEO, Shri Ram Bioseeds, Dr. Venkatram Vasantavada, CEO, Seedworks, Dr. Y.G. Prasad, former director, ICAR-CICR, Nagpur & president, CITI Cotton Development & Research Association (CDRA), and Dr. C.D. Mayee, former chairman, ASRB and president, Indian Society for Cotton Improvement, will share insights on improving productivity, resilience, and profitability in Indian cotton farming.

Session IV: Cotton Trading & Risk Management

This panel will explore price, credit, and market risk management strategies critical for cotton stakeholders. Moderator Manish Daga, director-Cotton Association of India (CAI) and president & coordinator, All India Cotton Farmer Producer Organisation Association, Vivek Mathur, executive director, The Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA), Abhishek Govilkar, head – Agribusiness BigMint Technologies Pvt Ltd, and Kiran Bhadra, managing partner - Shivji Kanji & Co and managing director - Sukhin Global Logistics LLP will discuss market dynamics and compliance mechanisms to enhance trade efficiency and stability.

World Cotton Day 2025 Celebrations

The afternoon will transition into World Cotton Day Celebrations 2025, opened by Padmini Singla (IAS), Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, followed by addresses from Ashwin Chandran, Dr. Ashok Gulati Distinguished Professor, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), and Ravi Sam, vice chairman, TEXPROCIL.

The session will feature a presentation by Lalit Kumar Gupta, CMD, Cotton Corporation of India, highlighting CCI’s contributions to farmer empowerment and productivity enhancement.

Neelam Shami Rao (IAS), Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, will deliver the Special Address, and chief guest Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles, will present the Keynote Address.

A key highlight will be the Kasturi Cotton Bharat MoU signing between TEXPROCIL and partners across three pillars — Commercial (commitment to purchase), Communities (sustainable agronomy), and Counselling (brand promotion globally) — marking a major step in strengthening India’s premium cotton brand positioning worldwide.

The event will conclude with remarks by Dinesh Nolkha.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KD)