Extra Long Staple Cotton

Extra Long Staple Cotton Latest News

Recently, the union finance minister announced a five-year mission to “facilitate significant improvements in productivity and sustainability of cotton farming, and promote extra-long staple (ELS) cotton varieties”.

About Extra Long Staple Cotton

• It is commonly hailed as the gold standard in textile manufacturing, holds a coveted position in the world of high-quality fabrics. 
• Most ELS cotton comes from the species Gossypium barbadense, commonly known as Egyptian or Pima cotton.
• ELS varieties boast fibre lengths of 30 mm and above.
• Origin and distribution of Extra Long Staple Cotton:
  • It originated in South America and today it is mainly grown in China, Egypt, Australia, and Peru.
  • In India, some ELS cotton is grown along rain fed parts of Atpadi taluka in Maharashtra’s Sangli district, and around Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.
• The warm temperatures and rich soil contribute to the growth of cotton fibres that are not only long but also uniform, resulting in stronger and finer yarns.
• It does not require intense finishing processes, which helps preserve these innate qualities.

Issues of Extra Long Staple Cotton in India

• Yield: It gives lower than average per acre yields, experts say. While the medium staple variety yields between 10 and 12 quintals per acre, ELS cotton has a yield of only 7-8 quintals.
• Marketing issue: Farmers growing ELS cotton are often unable to market their premium produce at premium prices.

Extra Long Staple Cotton FAQs

Q1: What are the long staple cotton varieties?

Ans: Giza 70 and Giza 88 are the major ELS varieties.

Q2: Where is extra long staple cotton grown?

Ans: It is grown in the U.S., Australia, Peru and a few other locations around the world 

Q3:What are the disadvantages of long staple cotton?

Ans: Compared to other cotton varieties, long staple cotton is costly.

Source: IE