Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton

Why in news?

• The Budget has proposed to enhance the productivity of extra-long staple (ELS) cotton through public-private partnerships.
• This is meant to lower the import dependence on a growing cotton variety that is in demand and can produce high-quality yarn.

About Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton:

• ELS denote a category of cotton fibre with a staple length between 32-36 mm.
• In India, major cotton produced is 26-30 mm (almost 80% is 29 mm) which is considered medium-grade.

• Indian domestic consumption is around 31 million bales of cotton. In that ELS cotton accounts for just around 1 million.
• The Domestic production of ELS cotton accounts to 350,000-400,000 bales. This means 600,000 bales need to be imported annually.
• It is this import of ELS Cotton that the Budget announcement seeks to cut through boosting domestic production.
• In India, ELS cotton is priced 35-40% more than normal cotton because of its high quality.

Add ons:

• Egypt, U S, and Australia are the largest producers of ELS cotton.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements:

1. Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton accounts for more than half of total cotton produced in India

2.India is the world’s largest exporter of Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer