India, Mali Join Hands to Promote Sustainable Cotton

GG News Bureau
New York, 9th Oct: India and Mali have joined hands at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to promote sustainable cotton production, stronger textile value chains and better livelihoods for farmers and artisans.

The Permanent Missions of India and Mali to the United Nations jointly organised an event on October 7 to mark World Cotton Day under the theme “Cotton for Sustainability: Livelihoods, Value Addition and Partnership.” The observance highlighted cotton’s role in economic development, international trade and poverty alleviation, particularly in developing and least developed countries.

World Cotton Day is observed on October 7 following its proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 75/318. The event brought together Indian Members of Parliament, representatives of UN member states and international organisations to discuss ways to improve the cotton sector and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

India Highlights Gandhi’s Vision of Self-Reliance
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s association of cotton and the spinning wheel with self-reliance, dignity and the freedom struggle.

He outlined four priorities for the sector: improving producers’ livelihoods, expanding value addition and market access, promoting sustainability, and strengthening technology and international partnerships.

Parvathaneni also stressed the need for affordable agricultural inputs and finance, greater support for smaller enterprises, and deeper South-South and triangular cooperation. Such partnerships, he said, can help cotton-producing countries retain more value from their products while advancing sustainable development.

Mali’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Issa Konfourou, underlined cotton’s importance to his country’s economy and rural communities. He pointed to challenges including limited processing capacity, high input costs, restricted market access and trade-distorting support.

Konfourou highlighted Mali’s efforts to expand domestic processing and generate employment, while welcoming mutually beneficial partnerships and acknowledging India as an important partner.

Traditional Crafts and Textile Manufacturing Take Centre Stage
Indian lawmakers highlighted how traditional craftsmanship and modern textile manufacturing can create jobs and increase the value of cotton products.

Asit Kumar Mal, Member of Parliament, cited Kantha embroidery in Bolpur, West Bengal, as an example of how traditional skills add value to cotton, support women’s livelihoods and encourage reuse and resource efficiency. He emphasised the need for fair remuneration, affordable credit, design assistance and better market access for artisans.

L. K. Sudhish, Member of Parliament, highlighted Tamil Nadu’s cotton knitwear and garment industry, including the role of small enterprises, shared infrastructure and skilled workers. He also referred to an integrated textile park being developed under the PM MITRA initiative and efforts to recover and reuse wastewater in textile processing.

Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Textiles, outlined India’s position as a major cotton producer and consumer and stressed the sector’s importance to small and marginal farmers.

She highlighted the Mission for Cotton Productivity and the Kasturi Cotton Bharat initiative, which focus on improving productivity, quality and traceability. She also pointed to investments in textile infrastructure, support for artisans and small businesses, and the need for predictable trade and better market access to build sustainable cotton value chains.

Global Cooperation for Stronger Cotton Value Chains
Representatives from Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Chad, the Netherlands, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Cameroon and Peru also participated in the discussions. Speakers included Angélica Jácome, Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization Liaison Office with the UN in New York, and Keshav R. Kranthi, Chief Scientist at the International Cotton Advisory Committee.

Discussions focused on strengthening cotton value chains, supporting smallholders and artisans, expanding processing capacity, improving market access, and applying advanced science and technology to the sector. Participants also explored ways to deepen international partnerships.

The event concluded with a hands-on demonstration of Pen Kalamkari on cotton, guided by a master artisan from India. The activity showcased the country’s craft traditions and highlighted the connection between cotton, cultural heritage and sustainable livelihoods.