Cotton Forum and National Fibre Policy
I4handloom
This is to report to you on the Cotton Forum meeting held on 2nd
December, 2009, in Hyderabad. There were about 30 participants.
At the meeting, there was tacit and broad consensus to come together
as Cotton Forum. However, there was intense debate on what to do.
Everyone agreed to take forward the activity, and through such
activity, it was hoped that the Cotton Forum establishment or
formation would be an eventuality. Based on this understanding, as I
surmise, the participants decided to work on the 4 big issues:
1. Working capital for small farmers, including value addition
activities
2. Inputs, especially seeds
3. National Fibre Policy
4. Markets and prices
Participants broke into four groups, to develop on each of the theme
the following: focus of the group, listing of key players, role of the
coordinator of the group, and potential next steps. Four persons
volunteered to coordinate the group. I volunteered to coordinate the
group on National Fibre Policy. I request others to identify
themselves.
Since the onus of taking forward the activities is on me, as part of
the work on National Fibre Policy, I have proposed the following,
which was presented to the entire group of participants. The focus of
the group would be on the following:
1. Content development (of the National Fibre Policy, wherein our
concerns would be brought forward)
2. Getting a repesentative on the Working Group of National Fibre
Policy. Or, a existing member of the Working Group should be
encouraged to take active interest in enabling the participation of
the members of the Cotton Forum.
3. Ask for a consultation process, once the draft National Fibre
Policy is prepared.
Key players identified include the following:
1. Farmer groups (NGOs and associations)
2. Cotton Textile Supply chain model projects (ex. Oxfam, Zameen and
chetana organic)
3. Handloom and khadi groups
Potential next steps identified are:
1. Engaging with the current Working Group on National Fibre Policy
2. Coordinate this sub-group of Cotton forum, on the focus areas
3. National Workshop (I volunteered to organise a workshop in January,
2011, with the seed support of Oxfam India, in Hyderabad). Hopefully,
by then the draft National Fibre Policy would be out. If not we will
discuss what needs to be included in this Policy, which should benefit
small cotton farmers and handloom weavers (nee small producers)
Ms.Prabha Nagarajan, of Organic Exchange, has promised to provide
information on the discussions in the sub-group on organic cotton,
constituted as part of the Working Group on National Fibre Policy. Mr.
Raja Chakravarthy of Oxfam India promised to help in resource
mobilisation and establishing linkages. Dr. C. S. Pawar said "seed
companies can be involved, given the fact that cotton sector needs a
biased policy, against synthetic fibre".
Most participants wanted details about the National Fibre Policy, in
order to get engaged in the process. As a Coordinator of the group, I
promised to do so. I would be sending information on this shortly.
This was in addition to the note circulated by me at the meeting on
the concerns of handloom industry, vis-a-vis National Fibre Policy.
Any one of you can this Cotton Forum. Cotton and handloom sector are
very closely linked.
with best regards.
D. Narasimha Reddy
Rishi Herbals
THANKS FOR INFORMATION AND I WILL FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO WHEREVER NEED
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Handloom weavers require your support, cooperation and action
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A.T.T.NAMBI NARAYANAN
www.rishiherbals.in
F-4-213-sidconagar,villivakam,chennai-600049.CELL.09382689320
www.growmoretrees-sai.blogspot.com
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