Future of Cotton Industry: Leader speaks
Compiled by Salil Chawla, Director, DFU Publications.
Delivering a compelling virtual address at the 4th Global Cotton Conference held on October 7, 2025, in New Delhi, organized by the Ministry of Textiles and CITI, global cotton analytics expert Dr. Terry Townsend emphasized that the future of cotton lies in the rapid acceleration of technology, particularly in seed science, to overcome stagnant production and falling prices.
Townsend highlighted that countries like the U.S., Brazil, and Australia are leveraging biotech ‘stacked gene’ seeds to achieve higher yields and better resistance to pests and climate stress.
For nations restricting biotech crops, scientists are exploring gene-editing and advanced breeding technologies to replicate similar advantages. Emerging tools such as AI, GPS, and precision farming systems are further transforming input efficiency and productivity.
However, Townsend cautioned that innovation comes at a high cost, underscoring the urgent need for robust intellectual property protection to ensure sustained investment in R&D. Without strong IP safeguards, he warned, technological progress and global competitiveness could stagnate.
He concluded that technology is not only vital for profitability but also central to sustainability, enabling climate-resilient, resource-efficient cotton production that secures the industry’s future.
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