Every year, World Cotton Day is celebrated on October 7 to recognize the importance of cotton as a global commodity. The day also highlights the crucial role of the cotton sector in many economies around the world. In many countries, cotton is a major source of livelihood and income for many rural smallholders and labourers, including women, providing employment and income to some of the poorest rural areas in the world. The United Nations has officially recognised World Cotton Day as it creates awareness about cotton and cotton-related products and fosters sustainable trade policies. On World Cotton Day 2023, here’s all you need to know about the history and significance of the day dedicated to one of the most important agricultural crops around the world.

World Cotton Day 2023 Date

World Cotton Day 2023 will be celebrated on Saturday, October 7.

World Cotton Day History

The idea of establishing World Cotton Day was born in 2019, when four cotton producers in sub-Saharan Africa– Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali, known as the Cotton Four -proposed to the World Trade Organization a World Cotton Day celebration on October 7. On this day, leaders from around the world had the opportunity to share knowledge and showcase cotton-related activities.

World Cotton Day Significance

Cotton is a very significant crop that provides livelihoods to millions around the world. This natural fabric is a life-changing product that sustains 32 million growers worldwide and benefits over 100 million families across 80 countries in 5 continents. Cotton is the only agricultural commodity that provides both fiber and food. It is a crop that grows in arid climates and thrives in places no other crop can. World Cotton Day serves as an opportunity to offer assistance to the cotton sector in developing countries to keep increasing productivity and bring innovation to increase the benefits of the cotton sector worldwide.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 07, 2023 09:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).