A.   Background:

Cotton is one of the major commercial crops grown in India.  Quality of cotton varies from area to area and variety to variety.  The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection had formulated a pilot scheme for the grading of Kapas, i.e., Cotton Classing Scheme which was sanctioned during the 4^th Five Year Plan in the year 1968-69.   The first pilot centre of  DMI was established in 1970 at Surat (Gujarat).  Encouraged with the success and progress achieved by Cotton Classing Centre (CCC), Surat, Government of India sanctioned another 5 CCCs during the 5^th Five Year Plan at Nagpur (Maharashtra), Abohar (Punjab), Tirupur (Tamil Nadu), Khandwa (M.P.) and Raichur (Karnataka).  Out of these, 3 centres at Nagpur, Tirupur and Abohar were initially established.  Subsequently, the remaining 2 centres at Khandwa and Raichur were established.

        These centers were well equipped with instruments for undertaking quality evaluation of fibre parameters of cotton.  At present, only 3 CCCs at Surat, Abohar and Nagpur are functioning. The other 3 centres at Khandwa, Raichur and Tirupur have been closed as there was not much progress achieved by these centers. 

B.    Objectives of the Scheme:

(i)    To provide facilities for testing and grading of cotton for the benefit of cotton growers and others engaged in cotton marketing.

(ii)   To analyze cotton samples from different regions with a view to frame grade standards.

(iii)  To conduct training programmes in the grading of cotton (Kapas and Lint) for different organizations engaged in the marketing of cotton.

(iv)  To extend assistance to State Governments and other agencies in establishing the Cotton Classing Centre.

C.    Activities:-

The Directorate is attending to the work of grading/classing of cotton belonging to cotton growers, their co-operative societies and others at different Cotton Classing Centres.  The CCC at Nagpur is also imparting training in grading of Kapas to different organizations engaged in marketing of cotton.   The Cotton classing certificates issued by CCCs includes evaluation of various cotton fibre properties.  The analytical report for cotton (Kapas and Lint) helps to know the quality  enabling the farmers/sellers to quote appropriate price for their produce.  The report helps the buyer to choose the lots according to their qualitative demands without going through the lots to assess its quality which is tiresome and time consuming.  It also helps the spinning mills to know the spinning quality of cotton and to plan their spinning programme accordingly.

The services rendered by the CCCs of the Directorate for analysis of cotton samples is free of cost in respect of cotton samples received from cotton farmers, their co-operatives, NAFED and State Marketing Federations.  A nominal sum of Rs.40/- per sample is charged from others.

The contact details of the three CCCs are:-

(i)    Cotton Classing Centre, Directorate of Marketing & Inspection, North Ambazari Road, Nagpur-400010.

        (Phone No.0712-2561312)

(ii)   Cotton Classing Centre, Directorate of Marketing & Inspection, Ward No.14, Main Road, Azimgarh, Abohar-152116  (Punjab(Phone No.01634-221302)

(iii)  Cotton Classing Centre, Directorate of Marketing & Inspection, Kasturi Apartment, Gajjar Wadi, Athwa Gate, Surat-395001. (Phone No.0261-2650703)

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