Government to Establish Cotton Test Labs in 6 States for Kasturi Cotton

The central government is preparing to set up high-grade Kasturi cotton testing labs in six states, as part of an effort to boost the Indian cotton brand internationally.

At present, certification of Kasturi cotton is carried out by a restricted number of NABL-accredited laboratories. With this program, the government hopes to improve the quality standards and international recognition of Indian textiles.

The Six States For Dedicated Testing Labs

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, and Karnataka will all have testing facilities specifically for Kasturi cotton established. To guarantee compliance with national quality standards, these labs will run in tandem with the testing facilities of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). These labs were established with stringent requirements, like a 2% waste content cap and 100% traceability, to guarantee the high quality of Kasturi cotton.

Objective

India aims to position Kasturi cotton as a global brand that can compete with renowned cotton brands like Supima and Giza. By establishing dedicated testing facilities and ensuring NABL accreditation, the government aims to boost the credibility of the testing reports, thus enhancing the global acceptance of Indian textiles, including Kasturi cotton.

Focus Areas for Strengthening Textiles Ecosystem

To improve India’s textile ecosystem, the government has established five major emphasis areas in addition to specialized testing labs. These include filling skill gaps, establishing the production-linked incentive program, promoting Samarth, the Technical Textiles Mission, and the National Handloom Development Programme, and enhancing infrastructure through programs like PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM-MITRA) parks.

Investment and Job Creation

With investments totaling ₹95,000 crore, the textiles ministry hopes to generate 2.25 million new jobs over the course of the next four to six years. This comprises investments of ₹70,000 crore through the PM-MITRA parks initiative and ₹25,000 crore through the production-linked incentive plan. The government wants to increase the expansion and competitiveness of the Indian textiles industry, hence it is concentrating on raising the overall quality standards of Indian textiles and positioning Kasturi cotton as a worldwide brand.

About Kasturi Cotton

Kasturi Cotton is a type of cotton known for its fine texture and high quality. It is primarily grown in the regions of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The cotton is naturally white in color and has good moisture-wicking properties, making it ideal for clothing and textiles. Kasturi Cotton is also renowned for its durability and softness, making it a popular choice for premium textiles around the world. Its cultivation requires specific climate conditions and careful harvesting techniques to maintain its quality.

About Bureau of Indian Standards

India’s national standards organization, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), was founded in 1986. It creates, upholds, and advocates standards to guarantee the caliber and security of goods, procedures, and services. As one of the founding members of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), BIS ensures that products adhere to standards, which is essential in promoting international trade. It performs testing and certification procedures as well as certifies items using the ISI mark, a quality indicator. In addition, BIS is in charge of the Indian National Building Code.

About NABL accreditation

NABL accreditation stands for National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. It is a quality assurance scheme for testing and calibration laboratories in India. Laboratories that are accredited by NABL demonstrate technical competence and reliability of their testing and calibration results. The accreditation process involves rigorous evaluation of the laboratory’s quality management system, technical competence, and proficiency of staff. NABL accreditation helps laboratories to enhance their credibility, competence, and competitiveness in both national and international markets.