Our vision is to enable a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable Indian cotton industry — starting at the farm level. Through our Cotton Agronomics program, we focus on empowering farmers by leveraging advancements in agricultural practices, driving farmer education, and building strong community networks. By equipping farmers with the knowledge, tools, and support they need, we aim to boost yields, improve livelihoods, and strengthen the backbone of India’s cotton ecosystem.
In many farms, traditional methods of conserving water and soil rely on makeshift bunds formed from the farmland’s own soil. While simple, these structures often collapse during heavy monsoons, causing water runoff and the erosion of the vital topsoil layer rich in nutrients.
To address this challenge, COTAAP has introduced effective soil and water conservation solutions in drought-prone villages of Maharashtra, where water becomes scarce soon after the monsoon ends. After carefully studying the land’s natural contours, COTAAP implements reinforced bunds along with strategically placed recharge pits and trenches.
These sturdy bunds help retain the nutrient-rich topsoil while guiding rainwater into adjacent trenches and recharge pits. This not only prevents erosion but also allows rainwater to seep into the ground, boosting the water table. As a result, farmers gain access to stored water during the dry months, helping them irrigate their crops more sustainably.
COTAAP has implemented the Soil and Water Conservation project in close to —– hectares of land in villages in Yavatmal and Wardha districts of Maharashtra benefitting close to ——– farmers.
In Babhulgaon, a village in the drought-prone Marathwada region of Maharashtra, declining rainfall had led to water scarcity. Groundwater had depleted and bore wells ran dry for most of the year, leaving the villagers without reliable water source
Flowing near the village was the Dheku river which had over time, reduced to a dry, silted stretch. Its bed had become choked with soil, waste, and debris, preventing rainwater from being absorbed or retained.
COTAAP stepped in with a mission to revive this lost resource. Through extensive cleaning and deepening of the riverbed, the Dheku river was brought back to life. Today, the river once again holds water beyond the monsoon months, supporting irrigation and replenishing groundwater for the village.
De-risking advanced farming techniques for marginal farmers is a successful way to encourage their adoption. COTAAP has adopted this approach by urging progressive farmers into practicing innovative and advanced techniques. Once successful these have then been offered to marginal, small land holding farmers, thus reducing risks and building trust.
COTAAP has implemented this approach withHigh Density Planting System (HDPS) andBamboo Staking in Chopda village in Jalgaon district in Maharashtra. These techniques have boosted cotton yields and strengthened farmer confidence.
We have created Farmer Networking Platforms uniting farmers regardless land sizes, and income levels in one collaborative space. It provides a strong support system where farmers can openly share their challenges and access expert advice, all within a secure and progressive community.
We organize seminars, conferences, and training programs designed to promote a scientific and new, advanced approach to farming. These initiatives aim to enhance crop yields which in turn improve the overall quality of life for farmers.
We facilitatePublic-Private Partnerships (PPPs) that leverage the strengths of the private sector alongside the resources of state governments. This collaboration ultimately benefits cotton farmers by providing them with enhanced support and resources.
We support farmers by conducting soil tests to help them understand their soil’s health. We also provide guidance on interpreting the results and offer training on effective methods to improve soil quality.
COTAAP successfully promoted the use of bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides and other eco-friendly practices.
Reducing Cotton Varieties
Our Agri experts advised farmers to reduce cotton varieties from 250 to under 40, improving crop management and standardizing quality for better profitability.
Introducing Extra Long Staple Cotton (ELS)
By introducing theMahyco-Bahubali ELS variety, COTAAP enabled farmers to earn a higher premium per quintal and reducing reliance on imported cotton.
Disseminating BT Technology
COTAAP helped rapidly spreadBT Technology in Chopda, with 90% of farmers adopting it, boosting yield and pest resistance.
Reusing Non-BT CICR Seeds
COTAAP, with CICR, demonstrated the‘Suraj’ non-BT variety could be reused, cutting seed costs and improving sustainability for farmers.
Why Cotton Promotion?
Cotton is losing market share to man-made fibers, despite its unique benefits. With its natural, breathable fibers, cotton is perfect for all seasons and is environmentally friendly as its completely biodegradable. Also, every part of the cotton plant is used. Cotton also plays a crucial role in our economy, as India is among the top producers, consumers, and exporters of Cotton in the world. It’s not just good for us at an individual level but also vital for our country and the planet.
Through our Cotton Promotion programs, we aim to raise awareness about the advantages of natural fiber – cotton, encouraging people to Choose Cotton for Life. This will help in sustaining our farmers, economy, and our planet at large.
This initiative educates young minds through an entertaining audio-visual and interactive medium, the benefits of cotton and its advantages. This aim at fostering a sense of responsibility towards making mindful choices keeping in mind its impact. Cottonology program is offered both on-ground, primarily in Mumbai, and online pan-India.
Suvin, arguably one of the finest cottons in the world, was crafted by Indian scientists through the crossbreeding ofSujata andSea Island varieties. Grown in limited quantities in Tamil Nadu, it’s highly prized by top Japanese mills, but remains largely unknown to the world at large and even in India for that matter. This is due to limited awareness and marketing. With the objective of raising awareness and demand, COTAAP launchedSuvin Ratna, a premium shirting brand. Positioned as theJewel of Cotton, each shirt piece comes with acertificate of authenticity and is presented in an elegant leather box, offering a luxurious experience for those seeking the best in cotton.
COTAAP commemoratesWorld Cotton Day onOctober 7 every year with a series of engaging activities to highlight cotton’s importance to our lives, economy, and environment.
Given cotton’s natural and sustainable qualities, COTAAP celebratesWorld Environment Day onJune 5 each year withcotton-themed Photography and Slogan Writing Competitions for schools across India. Like World Cotton Day, we also run engagingradio campaigns to spread awareness about cotton’s role in building a greener planet.
COTAAP participates in the Mumbai Marathon each year to raise funds for our Cotton Agronomics projects. Beyond fundraising, the event we are proud to offer this international platform to the daughters of cotton farmers from rural India. With COTAAP’s encouragement these girls have the opportunity to compete on an international stage. These young athletes have made us proud by securing top positions in their respective race categories.
Since our inception in 1987, we have successfully executed projects in key areas of the cotton belt – Ganganagar in Rajasthan, Unali in Gujarat, Panjra Lodhi, Chopda, Yavatmal, Wardha, Babhulgaon in Maharashtra, Raichur in Karnataka. We have made a difference in the lives of over 15,000 farmers.
Chopda is one of our most successful centres. It is a humble tehsil in Jalgaon district constituted by 111 villages. COTAAP Centre in Chopda was established in 2005 with the help of local partners who were aware of the challenges in cotton farming and were willing to act on it. Till date COTAAP has touched the lives of over 14,000 farmers in Chopda and contributed to their lives by helping them significantly increase their yield.
In the 12 years of our presence in Chopda, we have executed several projects covering over 14,000 farmers and clearly increasing the average yield per hectare for participating farmers.
Some of the key projects
This initiative was undertaken to ensure supply of cleaner cotton to the textile industry. Cotton storage bags were provided to the farmers who were made aware of how to use these appropriately in order to ensure contaminant-free cotton.
COTAAP helped farmers understand the condition of their soil by conducting soil tests and helping them interpret the results. They were also trained on how to improve their soil condition.
COTAAP successfully promoted the use of bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides and other eco-friendly practices.
Water and Soil Conservation Project – Yavatmal
Our recent project is in drought prone villages – Dhangarwadi, Mendhala in Yavatmal district and Waigaon in Wardha district in Maharashtra. Spread over approximately 300 hectares collectively, farmers are primarily Cotton growers. COTAAP has initiated a water and soil conservation project in this village. Our primary objective is to increase the groundwater table of the region.
During monsoons, rain water runs through the farm lands taking with it the top soil. If left unchecked or unguided, this leads to soil erosion. Also the water is not conserved or retained in farm lands leading to wastage
Farmers of Yavatmal used to employ rudimentary methods to arrest soil erosion and to conserve rain water in their farms. They would create makeshift bunds on the boundaries of their farms to hold the water. However if the rainfall was higher than expected then they would have to break these bunds to drain the water and avoid flooding. On breaking the bunds, the water would run un-conserved and haphazardly through the farms. In addition, it would also take with it the top soil which has the maximum nutrients. Erosion of the soil’s top layer substantially reduces the land’s nutrient value, thereby negatively impacting the productivity of the crop.
COTAAP introduced a 3 pronged solution with the objective of increasing the ground water table and arresting soil erosion. This solution includes 1. A flexible pipe 2. Smart Bunds 3. A Recharge Pit
A flexible pipe is inserted in the bund like shown in the picture above. When the level of the water is above required levels, the flexible pipe is turned down wards to drain the water. Vice Versa, when it is needed to hold the water in the farm land, the pipe is turned upwards. Also if water is held in the farms for about 4 to 5 hours, it allows the silt to settle in the ground. Also, holding the water for that period does not damage the crops in any way.
Smart Bunds are designed to overcome the limitations of rudimentary bunds. Smart bunds are designed to be stronger. Plants are grown on top of these bunds to give them strength and also arrest / hold soil erosion. Flexible curve pipes are fitted inside these smart bunds. To ensure that the water that runs out when the flexible curve pipe is turned downwards, trenches are built next to the bunds. Water is accumulated in these trenches and seeps through the ground and thereby increases the ground water table.
As a result of this 3 pronged solution (Flexible Pipes, Smart Bunds & Recharge Pits) the rain water is held in the farms adequately so that the silt settles in the farm itself, maintaining the nutrient value of the soil. Also the The excessive water is led to the recharge pits. The additional silt if carried away with the rain water is filtered at the mouth of the recharge pit with the help of the silt filtration T. Water accumulated in the pit seeps into the ground thereby increasing the ground water table.
COTAAP has successfully completed 75 hectares of farm land in Dhangarwadi. We will now start the adjoining village to Dhangarwadi which is Mendala. Mendala is spread over 500 hectares.