Why Cotton?

India is the largest producer and the second largest consumer and exporter of cotton in the world. Close to 4 million farmers are involved in cotton cultivation. 40 to 50 million people are occupied in Cotton trade, cultivation and processing. Textiles contribute about 14% to the industrial production, 4% to the GDP and 14.42% to the country's export earnings. Cotton is also deeply rooted in our struggle for Independence with Khadi being the symbol of Self Reliance during the Swadeshi Movement. Inspite of the significance of Cotton the fibre faces major challenges. Despite India being the largest producer of cotton, we have one of the lowest per hectare yield (produce) in the world. This is due to a multiple factors ranging from small land holdings to over dependance on monsoons and many others. In addition, Globally as also in India, Natural fibre Cotton is losing market share to Artificial Fibres or Man made fibres. Hence COTAAP works towards the cause of Cotton by addressing challenges faced by cotton farmers through its Cotton Agronomics Initiatives. Parallelly, COTAAP also works for Cotton Promotion by undertaking consumer connect initiatives that communicate the benefits of using natural fibre cotton.

Our Vision

Cotton Agronomics

To enable a vibrant, innovative and sustainable Indian Cotton Industry. The key strategies to enable this are: Farmer Education, Leveraging Agricultural Developments, Creating networks

Cotton Promotion

To play the lead role in ensuring the supremacy of King Cotton by increasing consumption at the end consumer level Key Strategies to enable these are: Demand Enhancement Create awareness about benefits of Cotton Active partner support Identity and Image building

About COTAAP

COTAAP’s vision is to enable a vibrant, innovative & sustainable Indian cotton industry

The Cotton and Allied Products Research Foundation was set up in 1987 by a group of dedicated professionals from within the cotton industry for whom cotton is a passion and service to the entire cotton value chain is a way of giving back. They also identified early on, the important role of this industry, not only a driver of economic growth and development but also of personal sustenance and progress for millions of Indians. 

COTAAP has now developed into an organisation with two distinct areas of work viz; Cotton Agronomics & Cotton Promotion. 

Cotton Agronomics

While India being the largest producer of cotton, we have one of the lowest per hectare yield (produce) in the world.

Cotton farmers cannot achieve their full potential due to: Small land holdings, low awareness and adoption of the latest farming techniques / technologies, heavy dependance on monsoons and sudden pest attacks and inefficient pest management. 

COTAAP works with these farmers with the objective of offering them latest technologies and efficient techniques to help increase their productivity and improve their lives. We also create a network for farmers to ensure sociaI inclusion and foster learning and support via shared platforms.

Cotton Promotion

Globally as also in India, Cotton is losing market share to man made, artificial fibres. It is well accepted that Cotton has innumerable benefits not only to us at an individual level but Cotton also contributes significantly to our economy. Additionally cotton is promotes sustainability as it is completely bio-degradable. In that sense, Cotton is also good for our environment. 

These benefits of cotton are not known or promoted. There is a need to do so and thereby increase the preference for cotton. Cotton promotion is not a commercial exercise to benefit any brand or company. Cotton promotion is a cause to promote growth of economy, support and strengthen our farmers and also benefit our environment. Additionally the unique fibre structure of cotton ensures breathability and ultimate comfort for the wearer.

Testimonials

“A testimonial from a farmer who benefited from your product or service. Testimonials can be a highly effective way of establishing credibility and increasing your company's reputation.”
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“A testimonial from a farmer who benefited from your product or service. Testimonials can be a highly effective way of establishing credibility and increasing your company's reputation.”
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“A testimonial from a farmer who benefited from your product or service. Testimonials can be a highly effective way of establishing credibility and increasing your company's reputation.”
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“A testimonial from a client who benefited from your product or service. Testimonials can be a highly effective way of establishing credibility and increasing your company's reputation.”
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Videos of Leadership team, Runners / Fund raisers / Students / Corporates Become We believe that there are like-minded organizations who actively work towards goals that are similar to ours and are equipped with complementary capabilities. We look forward to partnering and working with such organizations.

Synergistic partnerships will help us cover more ground and deliver a 3-way win for cotton farmers, partners and COTAAP.

Support us

As a corporate

Distribution of farming inputs: Significant amount of support can be extended to farmers by providing farming inputs like seeds, fertilisers etc. every year. Since this is a key step in implementation, the corporate has scope to create a substantial difference. 

Funding a project or initiative: An initiative is when COTAAP brings yield improvement technologies to farmers of a particular region. There can be several projects running under each initiative. The corporate can partially or fully fund any of these. 

Fundraise for us though the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM): The TMM has been a very crucial platform for us to raise funds. Partners can be part of this journey by participating as a corporate team and raising funds for our cause. 

Donations : Your monetary donations as a corporate will go a long way in helping us better farmers’ lives. You can contact us on aparna.chawathe@cotaap.org for direct donations. 

As an individual

  • Work for a project or initiative: We always welcome helping hands and minds who want to contribute to our cause. There are a number of ways in which you can help. Please email us on aparna.chawathe@cotaap.org to discuss possibilities
  • Fundraise for us through the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM). The TMM has always been a very crucial platform for us to raise funds. You too can be part of this journey by participating as a runner or collaborator and  raising funds for our cause.
  • Donations: We appreciate every bit of help, small or big. Your donations as an individual or a group will go a long way in helping us to better farmers’ lives.

 

In addition to working with farmers, we work towards generating enduring demand by building early awareness of cotton and its benefits.