Need for Suitable Policy and Legislative Measures for Commercial Cultivation of Naturally Coloured Cotton

摘要

In India Coloured Cottons, namely Cocanada Red and Red Northerns, used to be grown in large areas inAndhra Pradesh However, due to various reasons including low produdtivity and weak fibres, these coloured cottons exist only in small pockets in Kakinada tract of the State. Recently, concern for environment and health hazards associated with use of synthetic dyes, particularly in Western countries, has given a fillip for cultivation of naturally coloured cotton and research in our country. As a result, brown linted cotton belonging to Gossypium hirsutum has already been developed and even reached a few farmers. More strains/varieties of coloured cottons (brown, green, etc.) are likely to be developed for commercial cultivation in the near future. Growing of coloured cottoninthe vicinity of white cotton is likely to contaminate the latter upsetting the seed production and cotton production process. Contamination may result from outcrossing,in the field and during processing after harvest. Transporting, marketing, ginning and spinning are considered to be main areas during processing where physical contamination may occur. 'Isolation' at all stages of cultivation, harvesting and post-harvest operations is considered to be most crucial to prevent contamination between coloured and white linted cottons. Central/State Governments have to bring forth legislation to restrict coloured cotton cultivation in identified areas only. There also, naturally coloured cotton production plots and seed production plots will be subject to certification for which standards have to be laid down for natural coloured cotton grown organically and conventionally. Suggestions for legislative action have been given in this paper.