AUSTRALIAN cotton growers are joining in World Cotton Day celebrations today (October 7), connecting with farmers around the globe to celebrate the natural fibre they grow, the successes they have recorded, and the goals they still want to achieve.
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Cotton Australia chief executive officer Adam Kay encouraged all Australians to use World Cotton Day as a moment to discover the industry and the huge contribution its growers made to the nation.
"Australia may be a relatively small producer of cotton compared to other countries, but what we lack in size we make up for in punch, as a leader in efficiency, sustainability, fibre quality and profitability," Mr Kay said.
"Over the past 60 years or so, since our industry started developing in Australia, our growers have made significant improvements in the way they grow the crop, which is having a meaningful, positive impact at the farm-level."
Mr Kay said since 1992, producing a bale of cotton in Australia now required 48 per cent less water, 34pc less land, and 97pc less insecticides.
"Our growers also make significant contributions to regional communities, with 93pc spending the vast majority of their business expenses in rural towns, and 71pc making regular donations to local charities and programs," he said.
Mr Kay said the Australian cotton industry also had ambitious plans of ongoing improvement.
"I am incredibly proud of our industry and our achievements to date; but the journey is far from over and our industry can always do more to improve," he said.
"We are continuing our work in the sustainability space, and our growers and industry representatives are currently finalising our sustainability targets for the next five years, which we look forward to launching soon.
"Likewise, we want to continue sharing our story with the community, answer the questions they have, and dispel myths about our industry."
