Centre to set up dedicated test labs in six states for Kasturi Cotton global brand push
NEW DELHI : New Delhi: The union government is planning to set up dedicated labs for testing high-grade cotton in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat and Karnataka as part of a push to establish the Indian Kasturi cotton as a global brand, two persons aware of the matter said. The labs would be set up in convergence with the Bureau of Indian Standards' (BIS) testing facilities, ensuring alignment with national quality standards.
India aims to compete with global cotton brands such as Supima and Giza, which are known for their exceptional softness, strength and durability. While India has only recently branded its cotton despite being a major producer with the largest area under the crop, Egypt has successfully positioned its Giza cotton brand internationally with an annual output of a modest one million bales.
The Indian product, Kasturi Cotton Bharat, is produced to stringent standards, with a strict 2% cap on trash content to ensure its premium quality and 100% traceability. Queries emailed to spokespersons of the textiles ministry, BIS and CEO of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) remained unanswered till press time.
“As of now, there are no dedicated labs for testing Kasturi cotton and the certification of this premier quality cotton is conducted through a limited number of NABL-accredited labs. Establishing dedicated testing facilities would not only ensure the quality of the product but also enhance its global acceptance," said one of the persons cited above.
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