Indian Cotton Federation is ardent to establish better trade relationship and a direct connect between the African cotton grower/ginners and the buyer in India following the meeting with three-member team from that continent, third delegation in the last couple of months in India on an exploratory trip, to understand the requirement of the industry.

The team comprised Traore Karim, President of the National Union of Cotton Producers in Burkina Faso, Dioma Komonsira, APROCA’s (African Cotton Producers Association) Communication Manager and Balde N’Dila, Vice-President of the National Federation of Cotton Producers in Senegal.

J Thulasidharan, President, ICF sought details about production volumes, government regulations, local condition, safety aspect, shipment time, logistics and the need for initiating a buyer-seller meet in Africa at the earliest to enable the stakeholders here establish a direct linkage with the cotton producer/ ginner in Africa.

He also said that the mills in the South would benefit with particular reference to transportation cost.

Only two-and-a-half per cent of their requirement is produced here. The cotton that is required for making knitted yarn is now sourced from Gujarat. African cotton is the next best alternative.

Karim revealed that the cotton producers in West Africa were under pressure from globally renowned garment and clothing giants to ensure supply of African cotton to India. These multinationals source from India; they are, therefore, keen that they establish direct linkage and healthy trade relations with India.

On production details, he said that the area under cotton in Burkina Faso was up by 680 acres compared to the earlier year.

The representative from Senegal, however, maintained that sowing had just commenced in that region and the area — up, compared to last year.

International Cotton Trade, (ICT), a joint agency of World Trade Organisation and the United Nations has initiated the mission for promoting African cotton.