HISTORY

Cotton has been the king of apparel fibre since time immemorial. Archeological excavations of about 300 B.C. in India’s valley and citation in Rigveda, written about 15 centuries B.C. reveal the ancient use of cotton fibres. Marco Polo mentioned the cultivation of tree cotton in Gujarat in about 1920 A.D.

The erst-while East India Company attempted to introduce American cotton for cultivation during 18^th century on experimental basis on cultivator’s fields in Gujarat. But since no success was achieved, efforts were made to improve indigenous cottons, particularly after the establishment of a research station at Surat in 1896. However, systematic work on cotton started in 1904 at this station for the first time in the state. Since then the entire research apparatus has been strengthened in terms of manpower, equipments and new stations from time to time. Presently, cotton research in the state is carried out through a well knit network of one main, eight regional and seven sub-stations distributed all over the state and representing all cotton growing agro climatic zones. It is supported by liberal grants from the state Government, ICAR, Government of India and a number of Private Organizations.

State-wise cotton area (Lakh hectares) during the last ten years

Source: Cotton Advisory Board

State-wise cotton production (Lakh bales) during the last ten years.

Source: Cotton Advisory Board

State-wise cotton productivity (kg lint/ha) during the last ten years.

Source: Cotton Advisory Board

Area, Production and Productivity of Cotton in India during Past Six Decades

Source: Cotton Advisory Board

RESEARCH SET-UP IN GUJARAT

Research stations in each zone, their broad mandate along with the year of establishment is as follows:

The Main Research Station and its regional/sub-stations are manned by over 44 qualified and competent scientists. The work is carried out under the overall supervision of Director of Research of the University and technical guidance and supervision of Research Scientist (Cotton), Surat.

IMPACT OF RESEARCH

As a result of evolution of high yielding varieties and hybrids and the technological innovations, the cotton production has considerably increased and the country which had to import large quantity of cotton in the sixties, has not only become self sufficient, but also emerged as a marginal exporter, despite the fact that consumption has sizeably increased over the years.

Source: CAB Estimates 2006

The giant strides made by cotton researchers in Gujarat are second to none. Today Gujarat contributes about 22% to the national cotton production (140 lakh bales) from 20.3% area of the total cotton area in the country (73.90 lakh ha 2002). The national productivity was around 322 kg/ha in 2002-03. The Gujarat productivity was 351 kg/ha. The production is almost tripled in last 40 years despite the fact that area has remained almost the same in the state with 27% area being irrigated.

The growth rate of cotton is in increase in productivity in kg/ha has been an impressive 7.64 kg/ha/year (base year 1960) and annual growth rate has been 5%, of which highest growth was observed in the last decade of the century.

Decades	Annual increase in productivity (kg/ha)	Annual growth rate (%)
1960-1970	0.70	0.46
1960-1980	1.20	0.79
1960-1990	2.43	1.59
1960-2000	7.64	5.00