The Ministry of Textiles celebrated World Cotton Day
The Ministry of Textiles (MoT) of India celebrated World Cotton Day which occurs on the 7th of October. They signed a deal that will enable the mainstreaming of textile sustainability. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) signed this agreement with the Ministry of Textiles. It was done at a recent consultation on ‘Sustainability in the Textile Value Chain’ on the occasion of World Cotton Day.
Objectives such as putting forward and discussing the sustainability initiatives across textile value chains, potential strategies along with digital interventions to enhance sustainability and circularity in the Indian textile value chains were discussed in the meeting. This led to the resulting co-operation agreement to be signed between the three parties. The agreement highlighted the designing of a campaign on ‘mainstreaming sustainability and circularity in the textile sector’ segment.
As someone who presided over the first session, Shri Upendra Singh, who is the secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, emphasized on the importance of sustainability and circularity in the textile value chain in India. The fact that the textile industry is still facing problems in effluent management despite the textile parks being equipped with CETP facilities was pointed out by him. He also talked about this was caused by the unavailability of data in waste generations from the processing clusters. He further emphasized that this meeting was going to have a great impact on evolving an action plan for sustainability as it was no longer simply a choice for the industry.
To deliberate on the current status and also a way forward to mainstream sustainability, circularity and traceability in the textile sector, this national consultation provided a platform for the industry and its stakeholders in the textile value chain.
Shri Shombi Sharp who is the UN Resident Coordinator, in his opening address, mentioned that India’s textile industry was a very important sector of the Indian economy. This meant that India was not only an important sector for economic production but also as one of the largest providers of jobs in the industry. Shri. Shombi Sharp made his appreciation for the Ministry vocal by highlighting that they have taken the initiating steps for embedding sustainability in this sector.
The Joint Secretary of the MoT, Prajakta Verma talked about the need to evaluate approaches in the world critically, especially in a world that is driven by the 2030 Sustainability and Climate Agenda. She highlighted that this conference would help set up the context that will devise a multi-stakeholder approach, something that is key in driving us to the future.
On the other hand, Bhawna Singh, the additional director of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) also presided over the first session. She stated India’s prominent role in the world as one of the largest apparel and textile sourcing regions due to abundant availability of raw materials and skilled workforce.
Finally, Pradeep Kumar Agarwal of the CCI expanded on new initiatives of the CCI. This included the traceability of cotton bales using block chain technology which is with collaboration of the Textile Committee. Shri Ajay Chavan who is the Secretary and CEO of the Textile Committee followed this with a brief on block chain enabled QR codes that can be used for monitoring cotton bale inventory live.
With the innovative and conscious ideas visualized for the goal of sustainability and better productivity, the scope of the textile value chain is tied with positive results and consistent growth.
