Bangladesh was one of the best in the world in the production of footy cotton. Until the nineteenth century, that cotton was used to produce world-famous fabrics such as muslin. Although muslin is no more in those days, Bangladesh has become important in the world cotton market again in a different way. This year, Bangladesh has become the second-largest importer of cotton in the world. Bangladesh is the second-largest importer of cotton in the world after China.
The country has imported 6 lakh bales of cotton in the fiscal year 2020-21. And it has cost about 25 thousand crore rupees. Referring to this information, a report published by the United Nations says that by 2030, Bangladesh will be the biggest player or important country in the world of cotton.
The way Bangladesh is second
A joint report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published in July, details the cotton market in the Agricultural Outlook-2021-2030. The increase in production of cotton and readymade garments in Bangladesh has been cited as a major reason for cotton becoming the biggest player in world trade. And the reason behind this is the conflict between China and the United States in world trade. Not only that, there has been talk of a change in the state policy of China and Indonesia in the production of textiles and an increase in the production of synthetic fabrics
Cotton production in the country is also increasing rapidly due to increasing demand for cotton. But so far very little of the total demand in the country is produced in the country. Cotton production in the country has almost doubled in the last 10 years. Of this, last year’s production has increased by about 4 percent to about 1.5 lakh bales of cotton. However, it is less than 5 percent of the total demand of the country. As a result, Bangladesh has to meet its demand by increasing imports.
Alhaj Uddin Ahmed, executive director of Bangladesh Cotton Board, told Prothom Alo that there was once a cotton plant in every house in Bangladesh. However, the cotton cloth that is needed for production is rarely produced. I am encouraging and cooperating the farmers in cotton cultivation by identifying potential lands to increase the production of this cotton.
According to the OECD and FAO report, Bangladesh alone will import 16 percent of the world’s cotton trade by 2030. Of course, another Asian country Vietnam will also bring the same amount of cotton as Bangladesh. These two countries will become big players in the world of cotton, surpassing China. Trade orders between Bangladesh and Vietnam have increased due to trade disputes between the United States and China. Between 2008 and 2021, the production of cotton increased by 40 percent in Bangladesh and 28 percent in Vietnam.
Production will increase in the country
However, there is hope for increasing cotton production in the country. Cotton Connect, a UK-based international cotton company, has conducted several studies on the potential of cotton production in Bangladesh. It has been seen that it is possible to increase the production of cotton in the country from one and a half lakh bales to at least one lakh bales. Even if all of them work together and bring cotton under cotton cultivation in the Barind area and char lands of the country, it is possible to produce 20 lakh bales of cotton.
In this regard, Harunur Rashid, Country Director of Cotton Connect Bangladesh, told Prothom Alo that it takes more time to produce cotton compared to paddy and other crops. Although the land in many parts of the country is suitable for cotton cultivation, farmers do not want to cultivate it as it takes a total of six to seven months. If the government and non-government organizations work together, it is possible to produce 2 million bales of cotton in this country.
Research on cotton
A total of seven researchers from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, International Rice Research Institute-ERI, UK-based research institute IIED, Bangladeshi research institute ICAD, South Africa and India have conducted a study on the impact of climate change on cotton production in Bangladesh. It has been found that although there are some risks in cotton production due to climate change in Bangladesh, it is possible to address them. Mentioning that the climate of Bangladesh is quite suitable for cotton production, the report said that in order to increase the production of cotton, it is necessary to produce cotton seeds suitable for the climate of the country.
Bazlur Rashid, a member of the research team and a meteorologist at the Meteorological Department, told Prothom Alo, “There is evidence in history that good quality cotton can be produced in Bangladesh.” Before the British rule, high-quality cotton was cultivated here all over the country. But we have to work on inventing cotton varieties that are suitable for the current world market and suitable for the changing climate. ‘
Useful cotton
According to the FAO, cotton is grown in about 75 countries around the world. Bangladesh ranks 40th in the world as a cotton-producing country. India, China, the United States, Pakistan and Brazil are among the countries represented in cotton production. Of the three crop seasons in Bangladesh, cotton is cultivated in only 0.52 percent of the land in Kharif-2.
In addition to fiber from cotton, edible oil, oil and fuel are also available as by-products. This edible oil contains very little cholesterol and contains 15 to 20 percent oil from cotton seeds, which is high in protein and more nutritious than soybean oil. Khail contains 24 percent high protein, 20 percent high fat, and 40 percent crude fiber, which is very good for animal and fish food.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, in the fiscal year 2019-20, 1 lakh 8 thousand bales of cotton have been produced in Bangladesh. By 2041, about 20 percent of the demand for cotton production in Bangladesh has been taken up. Initially, the land suitable for cultivation has been fixed at 2.5 lakh hectares.
