Cotton farming in India

In literary language we can define any phenomena, people, or objects  so beautiful that might change the perspective of readers, like if we talk about the poem  "November Cotton Flower" by Jean Toomer. This poem reflects on the significance of cotton in the Southern landscape, particularly during challenging times. 

Archaeological findings at sites like Mehrgarh indicate that cotton was grown, spun, and woven into cloth during the time of  5500 BC. cotton has been cultivated for over 7,000 years, making it one of the oldest known fibers used by humans. Its historical significance spans multiple civilizations and continents, highlighting its importance in agriculture and trade throughout history. Lets understand deeply about cotton 

Understanding cotton crop deeply 

• Cotton is considered as the most important cash crop and it plays a crucial role in the industrial and agricultural economy. Direct cotton in India provides direct livelihood to 6 million farmers and indirectly employs about 40-50 million people in its allied processes such as trade and processing. 
• It is a white, soft and fluffy staple fiber that grows in a protective case called a ball around the seeds of cotton plants belonging to the genus Gossypium. It is the crucial fabric material and plays a vital role in the textile industry especially in summers.
• Cottons are fairly uniform in width (12–20 micrometers) and vary in length from 1 cm to 6 cm (1/2 to 2.5 inches), with typical lengths between 2.2 cm and 3.3 cm (7/8 to 1 1/4 inches) also it can absorb moisture well, making them comfortable for clothing.
• Cotton is mainly produced in kharif season which is also known as monsoon season in the month of June and continues until September when the sowing used to start in most regions of states of this country. 
• In some regions, particularly in areas with irrigation facilities, cotton can also be grown in the Rabi season. This season involves sowing from October to December and harvesting from March to April.
• Cotton is majorly produced in China about 24% of global production and India around 23%. Some of the cotton producing states in India are Maharashtra, gujarat, telangana, haryana, punjab, rajasthan and many more. 

Types of cotton in India 

Each type of cotton has unique properties that make it suitable for different applications in the textile industry. Understanding these varieties helps consumers make informed choices about the fabrics they use in clothing, home textiles, and other products. Here is an overview: 

      1.  Upland cotton: This cotton variety is also known as Gossypium hirsutum in scientific language and is a widely cultivated species of cotton, accounting for approximately 90% of global cotton production. 

• It is typically a perennial shrub but is often grown as an annual subshrub with average heights of about 1 to 2 meters (3 to 6 feet) and has a robust taproot system with lateral roots. 
• The primary use of Upland Cotton is in the textile industry for producing fabrics such as denim, t-shirts, and home textiles due to its softness and durability. 

      2.   Pima or Egyptian cotton: This cotton is described as extra long staple cotton which is also known as Gossypium barbadense. This type represents about 8% of global cotton production.

• It has some unique characteristics: it is long, soft fibers that are strong and resistant to fraying and fading. This makes it ideal for high-quality textiles such as luxury clothing and bedding. 

      3.  Tree cotton:  This variety accounts for less than 2% of global cotton production and is also known as Gossypium arboreum in scientific language and belongs to the  species of cotton plant that is primarily cultivated for its fiber.

• Tree cotton is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 3 meters (approximately 10 feet) tall. It has a much-branched structure and thrives in warm, humid conditions. This variety mostly thrive in dry, subtropical, and tropical climates with good drainage.

      4.   Levant Cotton: This variety is scientifically known as Gossypium herbaceum  or Short-Staple American Cotton, is a species of cotton plant that is primarily cultivated for its fiber.

• Gossypium herbaceum is a perennial shrub that can grow up to about 1.5 to 2 meters (approximately 5 to 6.5 feet) in height and its leaves are broad, hairy, and palmately lobed, typically with 3 to 7 lobes. Levant Cotton is utilized in making textiles, including clothing, carpets, and various household items. 

How is cotton cultivated?

There are several steps hat is needed for a successful cotton cultivation that range from land preparation to post-harvest practice: 

1. Cotton thrives in warm and humid environments with the ideal temperature of cotton for growth is between 70 and 100°F (21 and 37°C). It can tolerate temperatures up to 110°F (43°C) if the air is humid. It also requires at least 20 inches (500 mm) of evenly distributed rainfall.
2. Land should be prepared with 1-2 cross harrowing to conserve moisture. Deep ploughing every 2-3 years may reduce perennial weed problems and the optimal pH range for the soil is between 5.8 and 8.0 you can prepare with 1-2 cross harrowing to conserve moisture. Deep ploughing every 2-3 years may reduce perennial weed problems.
3. Generally, sowing should be done from the first week of June to the second week of July, after sufficient rainfall and require a spacing of 60 cm × 30 cm between seeds, Sowing time varies depending on the season for example: 

• Kharif Irrigated: April to May
• Kharif Rainfed: June to July
• Hybrids: July to August
• Rabi Season: September to October
• Summer Season: February to March 

        4. Cotton needs to be irrigated at 50-70% depletion of available soil moisture. Flood irrigation is common, but furrow or alternate furrow methods are more effective for water saving. During Kharif and Rabi seasons, schedule 2-3 and 6-7 irrigations, respectively and Drip irrigation is also becoming popular. 

        5. Apply Farm Yard Manure (FYM) at 10 tons per hectare and mix it with the soil during land preparation. Also Apply recommended nitrogen and potassium in 3 splits at 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing (DAS) for varieties, and in 4 splits at 20, 40, 60, and 80 DAS for hybrids. Foliar nutrients such as Urea/DAP at 2% or Multi-K (KNO3) or Polyfeed can also be used.

       6. Cotton is typically ready for harvesting when the bolls (the fruit of the cotton plant) open,  which usually occurs between midsummer and autumn where Workers carefully pluck mature  cotton bolls from the plants, ensuring that only ripe fibers are collected while leaving unripe bolls to continue growing.