World Cotton Day 2026: Here are highlights of India’s cotton industry

World Cotton Day is falls on 7 October every year and celebrated to raise awareness about the product and its significance across the world.

India is a cotton-growing country that contributes 40% towards the global cotton production. It involves approximately six million farmers in its cotton cultivation process. India ranks second in the production of cotton as well as the consumption of the same. The country is also the largest producer of cotton fibre and cotton seed in the world.

Cotton is a key raw material in the textile industry. It is also used in the medical and animal-feed sectors. Cottonseed is processed into cooking oils.

Origins of the observance

The first-ever World Cotton Day was celebrated in 2019 in Geneva. The idea of the observance was proposed by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), along with the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The initial idea of having an international day was presented by four African cotton-producing countries, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali, to the United Nations General Assembly on 30 August 2019.

WTO, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) are also working towards making this day significant on a global level, where the focus is on cotton production and development.

Focus on farmers and communities

World Cotton Day is a platform for farmers, growers, researchers, processors and other stakeholders to increase awareness about cotton production and marketing. It acts as the perfect forum for cotton growing countries to deliberate on relevant issues with regard to the challenges faced by the cotton sector. It discusses the importance of cotton production and consumption, particularly in the developing countries, and how it can help in supporting livelihoods, as well as contributing towards economic growth.

Moreover, the day focusses on cotton farmers, labourers, and their families and tries to highlight ways to improve the lives of those involved in the cotton production chain.

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Pavan Bandari

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I am content writer with six years of experience in entertainment and politics besides other modules as well.