COTTON FARMING

 Cotton has been cultivated for thousands of years. The earliest evidence of cotton cultivation has been found in India, where it was grown as early as 3000 BC. Cotton was also cultivated in Egypt, China, and Mexico in ancient times. Cotton was introduced to the Americas by Christopher Columbus in the 15th century. Cotton cultivation quickly spread throughout the Americas, and by the 18th century, the United States had become the world's leading producer of cotton. The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 revolutionized cotton production. United States is still a major producer of cotton, and it remains the world's leading exporter of cotton.

Cotton is an important crop in Africa. It is grown in 26 countries, and it is a major source of income for many farmers. In 2020, Africa produced 5.2 million metric tons of cotton, which was about 5% of the world's production.

Locally known as Pamba (Swahili). Worldwide there are about 33 million hectares of cotton crops. Until now, mostly brown, green and beige varieties had been cultivated. Gujarat, India is the top producer of cotton in the world.

Maturity Duration: 4-6 months

Expected Yield: 1000 kg of cotton/ha (Lint 30%, Seed 65%)

Growing Season per Year: Once annually.

Nutritional Value: Cotton is a fiber. Seeds are rich in proteins.

Altitude:   Cotton performs best in desert climates, under irrigation. It grows on lowland below 1000 m.

Rainfall: 800-1200 mm

Temperature:  34°C

Soils: light sandy soils to heavy alluvium and calcareous clays

PH: 5.5-8.5