Mumbai: While cotton linters and cottonseed meal continue to be exported, a window of opportunity to export de-linted cottonseed to the US is emerging, according to Mr Sandeep Bajoria, Chairman, All–India Cottonseed Crushers Association. India produces about 90 lakh tonnes of cottonseed annually.

Food for cattle

Addressing the members of the association on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the premier cottonseed processors' body, Mr Bajoria said that about two-third of cottonseed produced in the US is directly fed to cattle mainly for beef production, and that demand from that market should be explored.

He appealed to members to ensure that cottonseeds are de-linted soon after ginning and pressing as is done in China.

Although cotton linters are allowed for export without any restriction whatsoever, Customs offices in ports like Chennai and Mumbai have held up consignments of cotton linters because of the confusion created by recent restrictions on raw cotton and cotton waste exports, Mr Bajoria said, adding that the situation demanded prompt corrective action by the Directorate-General of Foreign Trade.

Bleached cotton linters are used by Ordnance factories for production of propellants used for gun ammunition and for missiles.

While the demand from the defence sector is a mere 1,500 tonnes a year, linter production is as high as 40,000 tonnes and any talk of scarcity of bleached cotton linters is completely unfounded, he remarked.

The association has for long years been emphasising the need for educating cattle feeders about the use of protein-rich cottonseed extraction instead of traditional cottonseed cake and for adoption of scientific processing methods.

Source: The Hindu Business Line