Lion Md. Gani Miah Babul Cotton is a strategically important commodity for Bangladesh, with its significance extending from agriculture in the fields to industry and export trade. Once a cotton seed is planted in the soil, it does not remain merely an agricultural product. Cotton is transformed into yarn, yarn into fabric, and fabric into garments that carry the name of Bangladesh to markets around the world. Yet, despite being one of the world`s largest exporters of ready-made garments, Bangladesh remains heavily dependent on foreign sources for cotton, one of the principal raw materials of its apparel industry. This paradox points to an important weakness in our agricultural and industrial policies. World Cotton Day, therefore, is not merely an international observance for Bangladesh. It is an opportunity to rethink an important reality concerning agriculture, industry, exports and foreign-exchange management. World Cotton Day is observed every year on October 7. In many countries around the world, cotton is regarded as a source of livelihood for millions of farmers, an important industrial raw material and a major commodity in international trade. Its importance is no less significant for Bangladesh. According to data from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the country`s ready-made garment exports reached approximately US$39.35 billion in fiscal year 2024-25, accounting for around 81.5 percent of total export earnings. Behind this enormous export sector lies a huge demand for yarn and fabric, with cotton being one of their principal raw materials. Therefore, a stable cotton supply is directly linked to the competitiveness of Bangladesh`s apparel industry. However, the picture of domestic cotton production in Bangladesh is quite different. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture`s 2026 forecast for Bangladesh, cotton production in the 2026-27 marketing year could reach approximately 153,000 bales, while imports could stand at around 7.7 million bales. During the same period, total domestic cotton consumption is projected at approximately 7.8 million bales. This means that local production still accounts for less than two percent of the country`s enormous cotton demand. These figures demonstrate that while the success of Bangladesh`s apparel industry is built substantially on domestic production capacity and expertise, its raw-material supply remains heavily dependent on international markets. It is not realistic for Bangladesh to become self-sufficient in cotton overnight. The country has limited land, a high population density, and food security remains a top priority. Cotton cultivation competes for land with rice, vegetables, wheat and other essential food crops. Therefore, converting all agricultural land to cotton cultivation cannot be considered an acceptable solution. Instead, the question should be where, within the existing agricultural system, cotton production can be increased through appropriate varieties, technologies and crop patterns. This is where the economic reality of farmers becomes particularly important. Farmers do not cultivate crops solely for the national interest. They have families to support, production costs to recover and profits to earn. If cotton cultivation generates less income than rice, vegetables or other crops, government campaigns alone will not persuade farmers to continue growing cotton. Therefore, farmer profitability must remain at the heart of any strategy aimed at increasing cotton production. Bangladesh certainly has potential for cotton cultivation. Cotton is already being grown in different parts of the country, and the Cotton Development Board has been providing farmers with seeds, training and technical assistance. However, increasing production will require existing programmes to become more market-oriented and technology-driven. Farmers need greater certainty before planting about where their potential market lies, what their production costs are likely to be and how much profit they can expect from selling their crop. Establishing a direct relationship between the cotton industry and farmers is extremely important. Bangladesh`s spinning mills and textile industries consume large quantities of cotton. If these industrial enterprises work with farmers through long-term contracts, provide improved seeds and technologies, and purchase cotton at fair prices according to specified quality standards, farmers` uncertainty about markets will be reduced. At the same time, industry will be able to establish a reliable domestic source of cotton. Such contract farming could be an effective pathway for increasing cotton production in Bangladesh. However, cotton production cannot be increased simply by expanding the amount of land under cultivation. Increasing productivity may be the most effective solution. The use of improved varieties, disease- and pest-resistant seeds, soil-test-based fertilizer application, modern irrigation management, improved agricultural machinery and integrated pest management can increase production from the same area of land. As climate change makes Bangladesh`s agriculture increasingly uncertain, research must also be strengthened to develop cotton varieties that are tolerant of drought, excessive heat, irregular rainfall and salinity. Bangladesh needs to be more ambitious in agricultural research. Cotton varieties suited to the country`s soil, climate and farming conditions must be developed. At the same time, improving cotton fibre quality is equally important. Even if domestic production increases, the spinning industry will not be interested in using it extensively if the fibre quality fails to meet international and industrial standards. Therefore, quality must receive as much attention as production volume. The cotton marketing system also needs to be strengthened. If a farmer produces a crop but cannot sell it on time or fails to receive a fair price in the local market, his or her interest in cotton cultivation will decline in the following season. Modern ginning and storage facilities should therefore be established close to production areas. The entire system, from production and collection to processing and industrial supply, needs to be brought within an integrated value chain. Changes in the international market are also sending important signals to Bangladesh. Given the country`s enormous volume of cotton imports, any increase in international cotton prices directly affects the country`s spinning and textile industries. Similarly, if production declines in a major cotton-producing country due to drought, floods or other factors, pressure may develop on global supplies. Transportation costs, global trade policies and geopolitical instability can also increase the cost of raw materials. Therefore, alongside diversifying sources of cotton imports, strengthening domestic production capacity should be regarded as part of Bangladesh`s industrial security. Bangladesh`s sources of cotton imports have also changed in recent years. In 2025, Bangladesh imported approximately 7.82 million bales of cotton. Various reports, citing National Board of Revenue (NBR) data, indicated that Brazil surpassed India that year to become Bangladesh`s leading cotton supplier. On the one hand, this creates new opportunities for supply diversification; on the other, it clearly demonstrates the depth of Bangladesh`s dependence on imported cotton. Bangladesh`s ready-made garment industry is now entering a period of increasingly intense global competition. The industry must adapt to production costs, labour costs, energy prices, environmental standards, carbon-emission reduction requirements and new sourcing requirements from international buyers. This is compounded by the trade realities associated with LDC graduation. As a result, maintaining competitiveness in the future will be difficult if Bangladesh relies solely on low labour costs. The country needs stronger backward linkages, improved technology, faster supply chains and greater stability in the supply of raw materials. Domestic cotton production can play an important role in this regard. Although it is impossible to meet the country`s entire demand with locally produced cotton, increasing the domestic share would reduce some pressure on imports and create a buffer against sudden changes in international markets. More importantly, it would establish a productive economic relationship between farmers and industry. Bangladesh also has another opportunity in cotton production: the effective use of fallow or relatively low-productivity land. However, no land should be designated for cotton cultivation without scientific assessment. Regional planning must take into account agricultural conditions, climate, soil characteristics, water availability, alternative crops and local markets. A scientific Cotton Agro-Ecological Zoning system could be developed to identify areas where cotton can be cultivated without putting additional pressure on food production while providing farmers with higher returns. The use of technology in cotton production must also be expanded. Technologies such as precision agriculture, remote sensing, digital advisory services and smart irrigation are now being used globally. Farmers in Bangladesh are gradually gaining access to these technologies as well. Digital tools can help detect pests and diseases, monitor soil moisture, provide weather forecasts and deliver timely agricultural advice, thereby reducing production costs and increasing productivity. Environmental considerations are also closely linked to cotton production. Excessive use of pesticides and water can cause long-term damage to agriculture. Therefore, Integrated Pest Management, soil-health conservation, water-efficient technologies and environmentally sustainable farming practices must be promoted. Sustainability will become increasingly important to international apparel buyers in the coming years. If Bangladesh can integrate domestic cotton production with environmentally responsible and traceable supply chains from the outset, it could further strengthen the international acceptance of the country`s textile industry. The government`s role is particularly important in this area. Simply setting annual production targets will not be enough. A long-term national strategy is required. There is already a government-level objective to meet a portion of the country`s cotton demand through domestic production. This objective should be reassessed in light of current realities and translated into a time-bound action plan. There should be measurable targets concerning the amount of land under cotton cultivation, production per hectare, the level of profitability required for farmers, the volume of domestic cotton that can be used by industry and the timeframe within which the domestic share could be increased to five or ten percent. The research and extension capacity of the Cotton Development Board should be strengthened. More effective field-level mechanisms are needed to ensure that quality seeds reach farmers, modern technologies are adopted, pest and disease management practices are improved and farmers are connected to markets. Greater coordination with universities and research institutions should also be established to accelerate the development of new varieties and technologies. Access to affordable credit and crop insurance is also important for farmers. Since cotton is a relatively long-duration crop, farmers` capital remains tied up for a certain period. Losses caused by natural disasters, pests or diseases can expose farmers to significant financial risks. Therefore, in addition to production loans, mechanisms for effective risk management must be developed. Clear policies are also needed to ensure that increasing cotton production does not undermine food security. In a densely populated country like Bangladesh, every piece of agricultural land is extremely valuable. Cotton cultivation should therefore not be viewed as a substitute for food crops, but rather as part of an appropriate crop rotation and cropping pattern. Expansion should be prioritised in areas where cotton cultivation can increase farmers` incomes without harming food production. Most importantly, cotton production cannot be treated as an isolated programme of the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Textiles and Jute, Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Bank, Cotton Development Board, agricultural research institutions, spinning mills, textile factories and entrepreneurs in the ready-made garment sector all need to be brought into a coordinated framework. Cotton`s journey may begin in the farmer`s field, but it ultimately ends in industry and export markets. Bangladesh also has a significant opportunity before it. The country has a huge ready-made garment market, a skilled workforce, established spinning and textile infrastructure and long-standing relationships with international buyers. If domestic agricultural production and research can be linked more effectively with these existing strengths, cotton can create a powerful bridge between Bangladesh`s agricultural and industrial sectors. World Cotton Day therefore raises a fundamental question for Bangladesh: as one of the world`s largest apparel-exporting countries, can we strengthen the management of raw materials that underpin our industrial success? The answer does not lie solely in increasing cotton production. It lies in ensuring farmers` profitability, investing in research, adopting technology, developing quality seeds, establishing direct links between farmers and industry, and pursuing a long-term national policy. Bangladesh`s goal should not be to become self-sufficient in cotton overnight. Rather, the objective should be to reduce the risks associated with excessive import dependence and establish a strong, profitable and sustainable foundation for domestic production. At present, when local production accounts for less than two percent of national demand, there is significant scope to increase this share gradually. If cotton produced in Bangladeshi fields reaches the country`s spinning mills, if that yarn goes to domestic textile factories, if the resulting fabric is used by local garment manufacturers, and if those garments carry the Bangladeshi flag into global markets, the achievement will represent more than an increase in the production of an agricultural commodity. It will signify the creation of a strong domestic value chain connecting agriculture with industry. Cotton should therefore be viewed not merely as a crop, but as a strategic asset for Bangladesh`s agriculture, industry, employment, exports and economic security. Through planned investment, scientific research, fair prices for farmers and effective coordination with industry, increasing domestic cotton production can reduce the pressure of import dependence, create new income opportunities for farmers and provide Bangladesh`s textile and apparel industries with a stronger foundation. The success Bangladesh`s garment industry has achieved globally makes it timely to strengthen the raw-material-based economy behind that success. Strengthening the country`s cotton fields does not simply mean strengthening agriculture. It means strengthening the future of Bangladesh`s industrial and export economy as well. Cotton is of immense importance to the development of Bangladesh`s ready-made garment and textile industries. However, excessive dependence on imports is exposing the country`s economy and industrial sector to the uncertainties of global markets. Therefore, effective coordination between agriculture and industry is essential to reduce dependence on imported cotton. Alongside developing improved cotton varieties, adopting modern cultivation practices, providing farmers with training and ensuring fair prices, Bangladesh must strengthen domestic capacity in cotton processing and yarn production. Coordinated initiatives involving research, technology, investment and government incentives can play an important role in this regard. A strong cotton-based supply system built through cooperation between farmers and industrial entrepreneurs would reduce import costs, create employment and make the country`s textile industry more sustainable and competitive. Therefore, reducing dependence on imported cotton requires an integrated strategy linking agriculture and industry. About the Author: Lion Md. Gani Miah Babul Teacher, Poet, Columnist, Social Worker and Organizer Founder President, Bangladesh Government Secondary Teachers Association (Agriculture), Central Committee Joint Secretary General, Nirapad Sarak Chai (NISCHA), Central Committee Phone: 01552631118, 01842631118 Email: lionganibabul@gmail.com