Question

What is the economic importance of cultivation of cotton?

Answer 1

In many countries cotton (Gossypium spp.) is one of the most important fibre producing plants. Cotton crop not only provides fibre for the textile industry, but also plays a role in the feed and oil industries with its seed, rich in oil (18 – 24%) and protein (20 – 40%). An estimated 350 million people are engaged in cotton production either on-farm or in transportation, ginning, baling and storage. China consumes 40% of the world’s raw cotton. Australia and Egypt produce the best quality cotton in the world. Cotton is a major export revenue source for Burkina Faso, Benin, Uzbekistan, Mali, Tajikistan, Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan, Egypt and Syria. The world’s lowest cost cotton producers are Australia, China, Brazil and Pakistan.

Answer 2

Answer:

Cotton is one of the most important fiber and cash crop of India and plays a dominant role in the industrial and agricultural economy of the country. It provides the basic raw material (cotton fibre) to cotton textile industry.