History of cotton

[[File:Cotton merchant in Bombay by Francis Frith.jpg|thumb|Cotton merchant in Bombay (1850s-70s) by [[Francis Frith]]]]

[[File:Cotton merchant in Bombay by Francis Frith.jpg|thumb|Cotton merchant in Bombay (1850s-70s) by [[Francis Frith]]]]

India's cotton industry struggled in the late 19th century because of unmechanized production and American dominance of raw cotton export. India, ceasing to be a major exporter of cotton goods, became the largest importer of British cotton textiles.<ref name=Kew>{{cite web|title = Cotton – history|access-date = 13 June 2011|work = Plant Cultures|publisher = Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew|url = http://www.kew.org/plant-cultures/plants/cotton_history.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110616060815/http://www.kew.org/plant-cultures/plants/cotton_history.html|archive-date = 16 June 2011|url-status = dead}}</ref>

India's cotton industry struggled in the late 19th century because of unmechanized production and American dominance of raw cotton export. India, ceasing to be a major exporter of cotton goods, became the largest importer of British cotton textiles.<ref name=Kew>{{cite web|title = Cotton – history|access-date = 13 June 2011|work = Plant Cultures|publisher = Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew|url = http://www.kew.org/plant-cultures/plants/cotton_history.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110616060815/http://www.kew.org/plant-cultures/plants/cotton_history.html|archive-date = 16 June 2011|url-status = dead}}</ref>

[[Mohandas Gandhi]] believed that cotton was closely tied to Indian self-determination. In the 1920s he launched the Khadi Movement, a massive boycott of British cotton goods. He urged Indians to use simple homespun cotton textiles, [[khadi]]. Cotton became an important symbol in [[Indian independence movement|Indian independence]]. During World War II, shortages created a high demand for khadi, and 16 million yards of cloth were produced in nine months. The [[British Raj]] declared khadi subversive; damaging to the British imperial rule. Confiscation, burning of stocks, and jailing of workers resulted, which intensified resistance.<ref name=Cotton/>{{rp|309–311}} In the second half of the 20th century, a downturn in the European cotton industry led to a resurgence of the Indian cotton industry. India began to mechanize and was able to compete in the world market.<ref name=Kew />

[[Mohandas Gandhi]] believed that cotton was closely tied to Indian self-determination. In the 1920s he launched the Khadi Movement, a massive boycott of British cotton goods. He urged Indians to use simple homespun cotton textiles, [[khadi]]. Cotton became an important symbol in [[Indian independence movement|Indian independence]]. During World War II, shortages created a high demand for khadi, and 16 million yards of cloth were produced in nine months. The [[British Raj]] declared khadi subversive; damaging to the British imperial rule. Confiscation, burning of stocks, and jailing of workers resulted, which intensified resistance.<ref name=Cotton/>{{rp|309–311}} In the second half of the 20th century, a downturn in the European cotton industry led to a resurgence of the Indian cotton industry. India began to mechanize and was able to compete in the world market.<ref name=Kew/>

===Decline in the British cotton textile industry===

===Decline in the British cotton textile industry===

===Economy===

===Economy===

Textile mills have moved from Western Europe to, more recently, lower-wage areas. Industrial production is currently mostly located in countries like India, [[Bangladesh]], China, and in [[Latin America]]. In these regions labour is much less expensive than in the first world, and attracts poor workers.<ref name=Newint /> [[Biotechnology]] plays an important role in cotton agriculture as [[genetically modified]] cotton that can resist [[Roundup (herbicide)|Roundup]], a [[herbicide]] made by the company [[Monsanto]], as well as repel insects.<ref name=Cotton/>{{rp|277}} Organically grown cotton is becoming less prevalent in favour of synthetic fibres made from petroleum products.<ref name=Cotton/>{{rp|301}}

Textile mills have moved from Western Europe to, more recently, lower-wage areas. Industrial production is currently mostly located in countries like India, [[Bangladesh]], China, and in [[Latin America]]. In these regions labour is much less expensive than in the first world, and attracts poor workers.<ref name=Newint/> [[Biotechnology]] plays an important role in cotton agriculture as [[genetically modified]] cotton that can resist [[Roundup (herbicide)|Roundup]], a [[herbicide]] made by the company [[Monsanto]], as well as repel insects.<ref name=Cotton/>{{rp|277}} Organically grown cotton is becoming less prevalent in favour of synthetic fibres made from petroleum products.<ref name=Cotton/>{{rp|301}}

The demand for cotton has doubled since the 1980s.<ref name=Newint2>{{cite news|title = The Cotton Chain – The Facts|newspaper = New Internationalist|date = 1 April 2007|volume = 399|url = http://www.newint.org/features/2007/04/01/facts/}}</ref> The main producer of cotton, as of December 2016, is India, at 26%, past China at 20% and the United States at 16%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cotton: World Markets and Trade|url=https://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/circulars/cotton.pdf|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service|access-date=26 December 2016}}</ref> The leading cotton exporter is the United States, whose production is subsidized by the government, with subsidies estimated at $14 billion between 1995 and 2003. The value of cotton lint has been decreasing for sixty years, and the value of cotton has decreased by 50% in 1997–2007. The global textile and clothing industry employs 23.6 million workers, of which 75% are women.<ref name=Newint2 />

The demand for cotton has doubled since the 1980s.<ref name=Newint2>{{cite news|title = The Cotton Chain – The Facts|newspaper = New Internationalist|date = 1 April 2007|volume = 399|url = http://www.newint.org/features/2007/04/01/facts/}}</ref> The main producer of cotton, as of December 2016, is India, at 26%, past China at 20% and the United States at 16%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cotton: World Markets and Trade|url=https://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/circulars/cotton.pdf|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service|access-date=26 December 2016}}</ref> The leading cotton exporter is the United States, whose production is subsidized by the government, with subsidies estimated at $14 billion between 1995 and 2003. The value of cotton lint has been decreasing for sixty years, and the value of cotton has decreased by 50% in 1997–2007. The global textile and clothing industry employs 23.6 million workers, of which 75% are women.<ref name=Newint2/>

[[Max Havelaar-Stiftung (Schweiz)|Max Havelaar]], a [[fair trade]] association, launched a fair trade label for cotton in 2005, the first for a non-food commodity. Working with small producers from [[Cameroon]], [[Mali]], and [[Senegal]], the fair trade agreement increases substantially the price paid for goods and increases adherence to World Labour Organization conventions. A two-year period in Mali has allowed farmers to buy new agricultural supplies and cattle, and enroll their children in school.<ref name=UN>{{cite web|title = Fair Trade Cotton Market|access-date = 14 June 2011|work = United Nations Conference on Trade and Development|url = http://unctad.org/infocomm/anglais/cotton/market.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110607044814/http://www.unctad.org/infocomm/anglais/COTTON/market.htm|archive-date = 7 June 2011|url-status = dead}}</ref>

[[Max Havelaar-Stiftung (Schweiz)|Max Havelaar]], a [[fair trade]] association, launched a fair trade label for cotton in 2005, the first for a non-food commodity. Working with small producers from [[Cameroon]], [[Mali]], and [[Senegal]], the fair trade agreement increases substantially the price paid for goods and increases adherence to World Labour Organization conventions. A two-year period in Mali has allowed farmers to buy new agricultural supplies and cattle, and enroll their children in school.<ref name=UN>{{cite web|title = Fair Trade Cotton Market|access-date = 14 June 2011|work = United Nations Conference on Trade and Development|url = http://unctad.org/infocomm/anglais/cotton/market.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110607044814/http://www.unctad.org/infocomm/anglais/COTTON/market.htm|archive-date = 7 June 2011|url-status = dead}}</ref>

===Modern Economy===

The modern cotton economy is a dynamic and globally integrated sector that plays a critical role in the agricultural and industrial landscapes of many countries. Cotton is one of the most important natural fibers used in the textile industry, and its production, trade, and processing have significant economic, social, and environmental implications.

===Global Production and Trade===

Cotton is produced in over 70 countries, with the largest producers being India, China, the United States, Brazil, and Pakistan. These countries account for the majority of global cotton output. India and China are not only major producers but also significant consumers of cotton, driven by their large textile industries. The United States, on the other hand, is the largest exporter of cotton, with significant exports to countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Turkey, where the fiber is processed into textiles.

Brazil has also emerged as a key player in the global cotton market, particularly in the Mato Grosso region, which has seen rapid growth in cotton production due to favorable climatic conditions, technological advancements, and strong government support. Brazilian cotton is primarily exported to Asian markets, where it competes with U.S. cotton.

===Technological Advancements===

The cotton economy has benefited from significant technological advancements in recent years. The adoption of genetically modified (GM) cotton varieties has led to higher yields and reduced pesticide use, particularly in countries like the United States, Brazil, and India. Precision agriculture, including the use of drones, satellite imagery, and data analytics, has also improved cotton farming efficiency, enabling better resource management and higher productivity.

In the textile industry, advances in spinning, weaving, and dyeing technologies have increased the efficiency of cotton processing. Innovations such as waterless dyeing and sustainable manufacturing practices are becoming more prevalent, driven by consumer demand for environmentally friendly products.

=== Sustainability and Environmental Challenges===

Despite technological progress, the cotton industry faces significant environmental challenges. Cotton is a water-intensive crop, and its cultivation often leads to water depletion in regions where water resources are already scarce. Additionally, cotton farming is associated with soil degradation, pesticide use, and loss of biodiversity. These environmental issues have prompted a growing interest in sustainable cotton production.

Initiatives like the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and organic cotton certification programs aim to promote sustainable practices by encouraging farmers to reduce water usage, minimize pesticide application, and adopt crop rotation techniques. However, the adoption of sustainable practices is uneven across the globe, with challenges remaining in regions with limited access to resources and technology.

===Market Dynamics and Pricing===

Cotton prices are influenced by a range of factors, including global supply and demand dynamics, currency exchange rates, and government policies. The cotton market is highly volatile, with prices subject to fluctuations due to changes in weather conditions, trade policies, and shifts in consumer demand.

The U.S.-China trade tensions have had a significant impact on the global cotton market, with tariffs and trade restrictions disrupting traditional trade flows. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated market volatility, leading to disruptions in supply chains and shifts in consumer behavior, such as the increased demand for casual and comfortable clothing, which boosted cotton consumption.

===Social and Economic Impact===

Cotton production provides livelihoods for millions of farmers worldwide, particularly in developing countries. However, the sector is characterized by significant disparities in income and working conditions. Smallholder farmers, who make up the majority of cotton producers in countries like India and sub-Saharan Africa, often face challenges such as low productivity, limited access to markets, and vulnerability to price fluctuations.

Efforts to improve the livelihoods of cotton farmers include initiatives aimed at providing better access to finance, inputs, and training. Fair trade and ethical sourcing programs are also gaining traction, aiming to ensure that cotton farmers receive a fair price for their produce and work under decent conditions.

===Future Outlook===

The future of the cotton economy will likely be shaped by ongoing technological innovations, shifts in consumer preferences, and increasing emphasis on sustainability. The demand for sustainable and ethically produced cotton is expected to grow, driven by both consumer awareness and regulatory pressures. Additionally, the integration of digital technologies in agriculture and textile manufacturing will continue to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Climate change poses a significant challenge to the cotton economy, with potential impacts on crop yields and production costs. As a result, adaptation strategies, including the development of climate-resilient cotton varieties and improved water management practices, will be crucial for ensuring the long-term viability of cotton production.

In conclusion, the modern cotton economy is a complex and evolving sector with significant global interconnections. While technological advancements and sustainability initiatives offer opportunities for growth and improvement, challenges such as environmental impact, market volatility, and social inequalities remain critical issues that need to be addressed to ensure the sustainable development of the cotton industry.

==See also==

==See also==