Texprocil inks MoU with CCI for branding and traceability of Kasturi cotton

Mumbai (Maharashtra) : The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council – Texprocil and the Cotton Corporation of India – CCI today signed an MoU for branding and traceability of Indian-grown Kasturi Cotton during the two-day Textile Conclave coinciding with the event Kashi Tamil Samagam at Deen Dayal Hast Kala Sankul, Badalalpur, Varanasi, UP on 15th December, 2022.

Speaking on the milestone, the Chairman of Texprocil, Shri Sunil Patwari thanked the Union Minister for Textiles, Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal for entrusting Texprocil with the responsibility of being the implementing agency for branding the premium Indian cotton Kasturi.

Shri Patwari said that despite a very strong presence in the world market for cotton, India has been unable to brand its cotton varieties so far unlike USA – PIMA Cotton and Egypt – GIZA Cotton.

The Chairman mentioned that the Union Minister, Shri Piyush Goyal and the Ministry of Textiles have cast an enormous responsibility on the Trade and Industry to self-regulate and take responsibility for branding, tracing and certifying Indian-grown cotton, Kasturi and Texprocil, an industry body founded in 1954 was happy to assume the responsibility on behalf of the Trade and Industry.

The industry-led approach in branding and tracing cotton is in line with the practice being adopted by major cotton brands like US PIMA and Egyptian Giza. For e.g. the trademark Giza Cotton is owned by the Egyptian Ministry of Industry & Foreign Trade and the Alexandria Cotton Exporters’ Association but is solely managed by Cotton Egypt Association (CEA). Similarly, the Kasturi brand owned by the Ministry of Textiles will be solely managed by Texprocil on behalf of the Trade and Industry.

Shri Patwari also stated that the scope of work involves three main pillars which are Brand Promotion, Traceability and Certification. A unique brand identity for “KASTURI’ Indian Cotton will be created by highlighting its specifications-based benefits, thereby enhancing export opportunities while complete traceability details will be provided to the ‘end user’ through Block Chain based software platform. Registration & Transaction Certificate will also be provided by using QR Code based technology to validate “KASTURI” Cotton in the entire supply chain, he further added.

In times to come as the Indian cotton Kasturi gains acceptance and prominence in global markets it is not only expected to enhance export opportunities and provide a competitive edge to Indian cotton textile products but will ensure higher earnings for farmers.

www.texprocil.org