Question : Export of Cotton

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to encourage the cotton farmers to increase the production of cotton and to promote export of cotton;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a): Yes, Madam.

(b): Government of India has taken up various steps to encourage the cotton farmers to increase the production of cotton and to promote export of cotton. Some of these steps are as under:-
i). In order to improve the production, productivity and quality of cotton, the Govt. of India launched the Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC) on 21-2-2000 which lasted upto 31-12-2010. At present, the Research & Development, Transfer of Technology and Development regarding cotton are undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture.
ii). With a view to promote Cotton farming, during cotton season 2015-16, Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmer Welfare has fixed minimum support price for medium staple length cotton at Rs. 3800/- per quintal and for long staple at Rs. 4100/- per quintal.
iii). Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) Limited has been entrusted with procurement of cotton from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) to protect the interest of farmers by giving MSP to their produce to avoid distress sale.
iv). The export of Cotton at present is under Open General License. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry being the facilitator for the Import and Export of Cotton vide notification No. 102(RE-2013)/ 2009-14 dated 08.12.2014 has dispensed with the registration requirement for Export of Cotton. Further, the export incentives i.e., drawback of 1% is available for export of raw cotton falling under Tariff item 5201 vide Notification No. 110/2015 - CUSTOMS (N.T.) dated 16.11.2015 issued by Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India.

(c): Does not arise.

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