SIMA, The cotton development and Research Association is speeding up focus on the Extra Long Staple cotton variety in the coming season. They are also experimenting with the potential for organic and naturally coloured cotton.

R Ravichandran, the newly appointed chairman of the association, stated that they have successfully completed trials of ELS cotton trials in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra and Tamil Nadu. This success has given the company hope for further expansion into other areas.

He added that they have identified farmers and necessary areas for multiplying the pure organic cotton under contract farming in the coming season. He explained that many leading mills have already hinted interest to venture into this project in the pilot phase. He also highlighted the launch of the Indian cotton brand “Kasthuri” and development of Shakthi BT and SIMA Platinum by SIMA CD &RA. He stated that Shakthi BT and SIMA Platinum have recently been certified and are ready for commercial multiplication.

He stated that the association has developed a brown colour and green colour cotton seeds. The brown colour cotton seed is ready for commercial multiplication. The naturally coloured cotton will be organic and an ultimate solution for textile processing. The SIMA CD&RA Chief is attempting to launch Technology Mission on Cotton 2.0 to increase the yield from 500 kg per hectare to 750 kg per hectare in the next five years. He hopes to adopt various technologies to double the farmers’ income and sustain the same without MSP operations.