The 81st Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) recently convened in Mumbai, marking the first in-person gathering since 2019. Attendees from various sectors of the cotton textile value chain explored the conference's overarching theme, "Cotton Value Chain: Local Innovations for Global Prosperity."

Dr. Michael Bange Recognised

Dr. Michael Bange, Commercial Research Manager at Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) in Australia, addressed the conference on the impact of climate change on global cotton production. In recognition of his contributions to Cotton Research, Dr. Bange was awarded the 2023 ICAC Researcher of the Year by ICAC Chief Scientist Dr. Keshav Kranthi. Dr Bange accepted the award and thanked the ICAC and those who have provided research support. 

When with the CSIRO Dr Bange was awarded the prestigious US Beltwide Award for his research in cotton physiology for more than 20 years – becoming the youngest recipient, and only the second ever from Australia, emphasising the global impact of Australian expertise in advancing cotton research and innovation.

Insights from the Australian Delegation

The Australian delegation, including Dr. René van der Sluijs and Cliff White, Director of the Australian Cotton Shippers Association, shared valuable insights on advances in cotton processing and its impact on quality, along with recommendations from Merchants and other cotton-related activities. Allan Williams, Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) and Ex-Director at the ICAC, also chaired a session on the Social, Environmental and Economic Performance of Cotton Production (SEEP).

The ICAC Annual Conference served as a platform for industry leaders to discuss challenges and explore collaborative solutions, with reflections on the gathering suggesting anticipation for continued collaboration and progress within the global cotton community.