AGENDA & PRESENTATIONS
"From Farm to Fabric: The Many Faces of Cotton"
- Final Statement of the 74th Plenary Meeting (English)
- Final Statement of the 74th Plenary Meeting (Russian)
- Final Statement of the 74th Plenary Meeting (Arabic)
- Declaración final de la 74a Reunión Plenaria (español)
- Déclaration finale de la 74ème Réunion Plénière (français)
Sunday, December 6, 2015
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10:00 |
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Registration |
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10:00 |
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Meeting of the Expert Panel on Social, Environmental and Economic Performance of Cotton Production (SEEP) |
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14:00 |
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Meeting of the Private Sector Advisory Panel (PSAP) |
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14:00 |
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Meeting of the International Committee of the World Cotton Research Conference – 6 (WCRC-6) |
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16:00 |
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Meeting of the Task Force on Commercial Standardization of Instrument Testing of Cotton (CSITC) |
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16:00 |
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Meeting of the Executive Committee of ICRA |
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19:30 |
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Welcome Reception (sponsored by Cotton Corporation of India) |
Monday, December 7, 2015
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08:00 |
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Registration |
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09:00 |
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Inaugural Session
Summary of the Inaugural Session
Chair by Shri Sanjay Kumar Panda, Secretary (Textiles), Government of India
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Seating of the dignitaries on dais and lighting of the Traditional Lamp
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Welcome Address and Opening remarks by Dr. Kavita Gupta, Textile Commissioner of India and Chairperson of the Organizing Committee
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Recognition of the ICAC Researcher of the Year, Dr. Greg Constable
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Report of the Chair of the Standing Committee, Wei-jiun Liao
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Report of the Executive Director, José Sette
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Report of the Private Sector Advisory Panel (PSAP) by the Vice Chair, Antonios Siarkos
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Approval of the Agenda of the 74th Plenary Meeting
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Key Note Address by the Chief Guest, Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Textiles (Independent Charge)
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Vote of Thanks by Ms. Anu Garg, Joint Secretary (Cotton), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
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10:30 |
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Coffee/Tea |
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11:00 |
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First Open Session: Towards a More Sustainable Agriculture: Learning from Other Commodities
Summary of the First Open Session
Chair by Dr. C.D. Mayee (President, Indian Society for Cotton Improvement, India)
All agricultural products are affected by the drive to enhance the sustainability of commodity supply chains. Speakers from other commodity industries, which face challenges similar to those of cotton, will discuss environmental considerations, social issues, strategic responses to supply chain pressures and other relevant aspects of sustainability.
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12:30 |
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Lunch |
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13:45 |
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First Plenary Session: Statements
Summary of First Plenary Session
Chair by Dr. Kavita Gupta, Textile Commissioner, Government of India
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14:00 |
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First Breakout Session: Innovations in High Input Cultivation Systems
Summary of the First Breakout Session
Chair by Sharad Kumar Saraf (Chairman, Technocraft Industries, India)
Yields among countries vary as a function of production conditions and the level of technology adopted. In 2014/15, 17 countries had yields above the world average. Discussions on increasing productivity usually focus on low yielding countries, even though high yield technologies also require innovation, improvement and increased levels of adoption. Technological development is as necessary in highly productive systems as it is in low-yielding systems. This session will discuss opportunities and options to increase yields in highly productive systems even further, bearing in mind the need to limit the use of inputs.
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15:45 |
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Coffee/Tea |
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16:15 |
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First Plenary Session: Statements (continued)
Summary of First Plenary Session (continued)
Chair by Dr. Kavita Gupta, Textile Commissioner, Government of India
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17:30 |
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Adjourn |
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19:30 |
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Dinner (sponsored by Cotton Association of India) |
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
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08:00 |
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Registration |
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09:00 |
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Second Open Session: World Cotton Market Report
Summary of the Second Open Session
Chair by Dhiren Sheth (President, Cotton Association of India, India)
This session will feature two presentations by the Secretariat. The first will be on the outlook for world cotton supply, mill use, trade, stocks and prices in 2015/16 and expectations for future trends. The second will be the annual report on Government Measures that Distort Cotton Production and Trade.
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10:30 |
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Coffee/Tea |
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11:00 |
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Third Open Session: Demand for Cotton: the Views of Retailers
Summary of the Third Open Session
Chair by Mr. Andrew MacDonald, Brazil
This session will present the views of retailers as to the factors driving their requirements, the roles and responsibilities of different actors in the supply chain, their perceptions of the future of cotton in their product lines and corporate decision-making.
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11:00 |
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Second Breakout Session: Cotton by-products and their Uses
Summary of the Second Breakout Session
Chair by Shri Suresh Kotak (Chairman, Kotak & Co. Ltd, India)
Cotton lint comprises less than half of the product of the cotton plant by weight. This session will review new developments in the use of cotton by-products, which can make an important contribution to the economic viability of cotton production.
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12:30 |
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Lunch |
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12:30 |
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Business Lunch of the International Forum for Cotton Promotion (IFCP) |
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13:45 |
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Fourth Open Session: Mechanical Picking of Cotton
Summary of the Fourth Open Session
Chair by J. Thulasidharan (Vice-Chairman, Confederation of Indian Textile Industry)
The cost of field labor is rising and its availability is also becoming an issue. Although cotton farming is fully mechanized in few countries, most cotton producers in smallholder systems confront difficulties in mechanizing operations, especially picking. Nonetheless, greater mechanization is a key factor in maintaining the cost competitiveness as a crop. This session will explore appropriate technologies for picking in small-scale production units.
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15:15 |
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Coffee/Tea |
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15:45 |
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Fifth Open Session (World Café): Implementing the SEEP Guidance Framework on Measurement of Sustainability
(All participants, including official delegates and observers, will break up into 20 groups at 20 round tables around the conference hall. Groups will be organized according to languages. There will be trained facilitators at each table. Each group will develop their ideas on the meaning of sustainability in the cotton value chain to be shared with the entire plenary.)
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17:00 |
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Fifth Open Session (continued)
A facilitator will lead the plenary in a discussion of common results from the group discussions. (Participants will remain at round tables; floor microphones will be available for each table.)
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17:30 |
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Adjourn |
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19:30 |
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Dinner (sponsored by the local Organizing Committee) |
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
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08:30 |
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Sixth Open Session (Technical Seminar): Elimination of Insecticides from Cotton Production: Is this Possible?
Summary of the Sixth Open Session
Chair by Sair Kishore Shah, Bhaidas Cursondas & Co. India
This year’s Technical Seminar will be dedicated to the topic of the reduction and eventual elimination of the use of insecticides in cotton production. Safer chemicals are used on cotton and number of sprays required for a successful harvest is declining. Use of non-chemical measures to control insects has increased and aggressive insects have been pacified. Cotton production is changing to emphasize the inbuilt abilities of the plant to defend itself against all kinds of insects rather than sole reliance on insecticides, thereby minimizing the need for insecticides. The Technical Seminar will review success factors and explore opportunities to eliminate the use of insecticides in cotton.
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08:30 |
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Third Breakout Session: Preserving the Heritage of Cotton
Summary of the Third Breakout Session
Chair by Nayan Mirani (Vice-President, Cotton Association of India, India)
Cotton has a rich history that goes back thousands of years. This session will examine ways in which to best protect this heritage, by looking at the experience of cotton museums and similar institutions all over the world.
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10:00 |
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Coffee/Tea |
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10:30 |
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Sixth Open Session (Technical Seminar) continued
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Topic for the 2016 Technical Seminar
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Update on World Cotton Research Conference – 6 (WCRC-6)
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Discussion
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10:30 |
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Fourth Breakout Session: Best Practices in Cotton Statistics
Summary of the Fourth Breakout Session
Chair by O.M. Prabhakaran (Joint Textile Commissioner-Cotton, Ministry of Textiles, India)
Good decision-making depends on accurate information. By their very nature, often being produced on small properties and in countries with limited resources for information collection, statistics on agricultural products are imprecise. This session will present best practices in collection and use of cotton statistics, with contributions from ICAC staff and cotton-producing countries.
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12:00 |
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Lunch |
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13:15 |
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Local sightseeing - Excursion to visit Elephanta Caves (gather at the entrance of the Convention Center) |
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19:30 |
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Buffet offered to all participants (outside the Ballroom) |
Thursday, December 10, 2015
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07:30 |
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Breakfast meeting of plenary meeting host committees (by invitation) |
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09:00 |
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Seventh Open Session: Climate Change and Cotton
Summary of the Seventh Open Session
Chair by P.D. Patodia, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Cotton, Confederation of Indian Textile and Industry (CDRA)
Although this topic has been discussed in previous plenary meetings, the impact of changing climate patterns on cotton cultivation is a continuing concern. Climate change has long-term impacts, which must be analyzed in terms of research priorities and preparedness. This session will examine research into heat-tolerant varieties, implementation of appropriate public policies and other relevant responses.
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09:15 |
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Fifth Breakout Session: Challenges to Boosting African Cotton
Summary of the Fifth Breakout Session
Chair by Shri Uday Thakkar (Director, Cotton Association of India, India)
Seven in every ten Africans depend on farming for their livelihoods and Africa is one of the world’s most important agricultural frontiers. However, cotton production has fallen since reaching a peak in 2004/05 and value addition is limited. This session will explore opportunities to reverse this situation, including encouragement of technology transfer, improvement of yields, the role of international trade agreements and the enhancement of mill use.
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10:30 |
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Coffee/Tea |
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11:00 |
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Eighth Open Session: International Exchange of Cotton Germplasm
Summary of the Eighth Open Session
Chair by Samir Shah (India)
This session will explore in greater depth the constraints identified in the breakout session dedicated to this topic in the 73rd Plenary, including: characterization and evaluation of existing germplasm collections; data collection guidelines; preservation of intellectual property rights; compliance with international agreements and national legislation; and facilitation of international germplasm exchange. The expected result is to preserve germplasm and protect present and future generations from emerging crop diseases and vulnerabilities.
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11:00 |
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Sixth Breakout Session: Empowering Women in Cotton
Summary of the Sixth Breakout Session
Chair by Shri Naishadh Parikh, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Textile Industry
Women comprise a substantial share of the labor used to produce cotton. This session will survey projects in various parts of the world designed to empower and raise the profile of women in cotton.
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12:30 |
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Lunch |
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13:30 |
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Meeting of the Drafting Group (member countries only) |
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14:00 |
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Seventh Breakout Session: New Investments in Cotton Infrastructure
Summary of the Seventh Breakout Session
Chair by Shri B.K. Patodia (Chairman & Managing Director, GTN Textiles Ltd., India)
This session will explore new developments and investments in the provision of infrastructure, such as transportation and ginning facilities, for the world cotton sector.
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15:30 |
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Coffee/Tea |
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16:00 |
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Meeting of the Drafting Group (member countries only) (continued) |
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16:00 |
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Eighth Breakout Session: Organic, Naturally Colored and Other Specialty Cottons
Summary of the Eighth Breakout Session
Chair by Mr. Jhunjhunwala (Past President, Cotton Association of India, India)
This session will examine aspects related to the supply and demand of specialty cottons, including organic and colored types.
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19:30 |
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Departure for night event and dinner (gathering at the entrace of the Convention Center) |
Friday, December 11, 2015
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08:30 |
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Meeting of the Steering Committee (member countries only)
Summary of the Steering Committee Meeting
Chair by Wei-Jiun Liao, Chair of the Standing Committee
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Election of Standing Committee Officers (WP1)
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European Union Membership in the ICAC (WP3)
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Topic of the 2016 Technical Seminar (WP2)
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Uncollected Assessments of Member Governments (WP4)
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Other Business
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10:30 |
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Closing Plenary Session
Summary of the Closing Plenary Session
Chair by Dr. Kavita Gupta, Textile Commissioner, Government of India
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Reading of the Final Statement of the 74th Plenary Meeting
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Invitation from Pakistan, host of the 75th Plenary Meeting
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Closing comments by other countries
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Closing comments by the Chair on behalf of India
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Adjourn
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17:30 |
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Departure of Technical Tour from Airport |