Australia Awards South and West Asia

Five delegates from India attended the 2024 Australian Cotton Conference in Brisbane on 6–8 August 2024 as part of an Australian Professional Opportunity (APO) supported by Australia Awards.

The event, which had the theme of ‘Cultivating Excellence’, was hosted by Cotton Australia and the Australian Cotton Shippers Association.

The participants in the APO were:

• Jyoti Narain Kapoor, Country Director (India), Better Cotton Initiative
• Dr Prasanta Kumar Dash, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Assistant Director-General (Commercial Crops)
• Manishkumar Pratap Daga, President – All India Cotton Farmer Producer Organisation
• Lalit Kumar Gupta, Chairman, Cotton Corporation of India
• Gerard Prasad Yenumula, Director, ICAR – Central Institute for Cotton Research.

The conference brought together new and experienced cotton growers, agronomists and researchers, brands and marketers, students, supply chain partners, and industry groups, to discuss the current challenges and opportunities facing global cotton production.

The APO aimed to build a collaborative India–Australia relationship around cotton. The APO also supported the Indian participants to understand the current challenges and opportunities in cotton production, and to learn about Australian best practices in innovation and technology in the field. In addition, it provided opportunities for professional development, including for Indian cotton producers. The delegates also had the pleasure of meeting Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh at the conference!

Participants with Adam Kay, CEO of Cotton Australia (third from right) and Stephanie Anderson, Assistant Director of South Asia Agriculture Trade and Market Access at Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (second from right), during their visit to Glenwood cotton estate.

The main objectives of the APO were for participants to discuss ways to:

• combat pink bollworms (an insect known for being a pest in cotton farming)
• help improve livelihoods and increase economic growth by applying Australian cotton industry knowledge and technologies to improve the productivity and profitability of India’s cotton industry
• grow the mutually beneficial economic partnership on natural fibre between India and Australia (which involves Australian cotton being used in India’s textile manufacturing industries)
• strengthen institutional ties between India and Australia’s cotton industries and support market diversification outcomes.

After attending the conference, the delegates visited the Bayer Crop Science Laboratory in Toowoomba on 9 August to discuss pest resistance monitoring. Participants mentioned that the visit showcased cutting-edge research and development in cotton cultivation, which will be instrumental in enhancing cotton farming techniques in India. In the afternoon, they visited the Louis Dreyfus Commodities Cotton Gin at Dalby. Participants said that this visit was enlightening and provided a first-hand look at the advanced ginning processes that contribute to Australia’s high-quality cotton output. They also found the factory’s efficiency and emphasis on quality control impressive and said the visit provided them with valuable lessons that could be applied in India.

On 10 August, the participants visited McVeigh Farm, accompanied by Cotton Australia’s Chairman, Nigel Burnett. During the tour, participants were introduced to innovative agricultural practices and systems that have led to world-leading cotton yields of over 5,000 kg per hectare. The farm visit reinforced the importance of adopting a solution-oriented approach to achieve extraordinary results in the quality and quantity of cotton production.

Participants at the closing dinner of the conference with Nigel Burnett, Chairman of Cotton Australia (far right), Stephanie Anderson (second from right) and Adam Kay (fourth from right).

Following the completion of the APO, Manish Daga, President of All India Cotton Farmer Producer Organisation, said, “A key highlight was the first India–Australia cotton industry meeting held alongside the conference, where we set the future direction for the India–Australia cotton partnership. The discussions were insightful, and the networking opportunities were immensely beneficial.”

Jyoti Narain Kapoor, Country Director (India) of Better Cotton Initiative, said that her decision to participate in the APO was motivated by a desire to deepen her understanding of global sustainable practices and technological advancements in the cotton industry. She said that, engaging with industry leaders and exploring innovative solutions were key to enhancing her ability to drive impactful change and foster sustainable practices in India.

Lalit Kumar Gupta, Chairman of the Cotton Corporation of India, said, “The conference significantly advanced my leadership journey by providing cutting-edge insights into global cotton production practices, which are crucial for improving our own country’s cotton industry. It offered practical knowledge on high-density planting, soil health and innovative technologies, which I may suggest leveraging to drive productivity and sustainability for the development of the cotton sector in India.”

Australian Professional Opportunities are learning and development activities funded by the Australian Government and facilitated by Australia Awards.