Bridging the Gap: Preparing Farmers for BIS Implementation in Cotton Quality Control

The Ministry of Textile’s recent decision to postpone the implementation of the quality control order for cotton bales by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has stirred discussions within the cotton industry. Vidarbha ginners expressed their concerns about the BIS rating system for cotton, citing the vast variations in cotton quality in the region due to factors such as seed variety, climate conditions, pest infestation, picking practices, handling, storage, and multiple pickings throughout the year.

To shed light on this important issue, we spoke with cotton advisor Govind Wairale, a retired general manager of Maharashtra Cotton Federation and a prominent figure in the cotton industry. He emphasized the need for proper awareness among cotton farmers before implementing the BIS standards, suggesting that the coming year could be used to educate all stakeholders about these standards.

Understanding BIS Parameters for Cotton

The BIS quality control order for cotton covers various parameters, including staple length, trash percentage, moisture content, micronair (softness), specific packing of cotton bales, packing materials, sampling, marking, and grade of cotton. Ginners will be required to certify cotton quality, providing details such as variety, bale serial number, dimensions, weight, number of bales, average strength, micronair value, crop year, and country of origin. Additionally, a sample of two bales for every 100 bales must undergo testing, and the results must be uploaded.

The Rationale Behind BIS Implementation

The government’s motivation for implementing the BIS standards in cotton is to establish a brand for Indian cotton, standardize quality, boost cotton exports, and ensure consistent quality for textile mills. Cotton goes through several stages, from farm to factory, and during this journey, contamination and inferior quality can occur. The presence of trash, plastic papers, cotton plant particles, paper, cloth pieces, plastic or gutka pouches, and soil particles in cotton can hinder processing in textile mills and create difficulties in shipment, especially when compared to imported cotton.

Alternative Approaches to Quality Control

While BIS implementation is seen as a way to address quality issues, there have been previous initiatives to improve cotton quality. Modernizing ginning and pressing factories and supporting agriculture produce market committees (APMCs) through subsidies and infrastructure development were some of these efforts. These measures did have some positive effects on quality control, but they were not sufficient to significantly improve the quality of Indian cotton.

Creating Awareness Among Stakeholders

One major challenge highlighted by Govind Wairale is the lack of awareness among farmers about the BIS standards. Ginners have raised concerns about the immediate implementation of these norms without proper awareness among all stakeholders. To address this, Wairale recommends that the government focus on creating awareness among farmers and ginners about BIS standards over the next year.

Challenges for Farmers and Ginners

Farmers face the challenge of reducing moisture content to meet the BIS requirement of 8%. This can be particularly difficult at the beginning of the season when moisture levels are higher. Ginners also express concerns that they may not be able to purchase cotton with higher moisture content, which could put farmers in a difficult position.

Suggestions for a Smooth Transition

To ensure a smooth transition to BIS standards, Govind Wairale proposes several practical solutions:

1. Provide moisture meters to cotton-growing villages to help farmers check moisture levels before selling their cotton.
2. Price determination should consider quality parameters, with a focus on lint percentage.
3. APMCs should install model gins and equipment for quick testing of cotton quality.
4. Collaboration among agricultural departments, NGOs, experts, agriculture scientists, research institutions, and industry associations is crucial to creating awareness among farmers about BIS parameters.

Incentives for Compliance

For ginners who have modernized their factories to meet BIS norms, the government should provide subsidies for laboratory installations to test cotton quality. Additionally, textile mills should offer incentives to ginners or cotton sellers for exceeding the prescribed BIS standards, not just penalties for non-compliance.

Conclusion

As the cotton industry in India navigates the path toward implementing BIS standards, creating awareness among all stakeholders, especially farmers, is paramount. A collaborative effort involving government agencies, industry players, and research institutions can ensure a smooth transition to BIS standards while maintaining the interests of cotton growers and ginners. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of Indian cotton, boost exports, and strengthen the textile industry.