Hyderabad : The Solvent Extractor’s Association of India (SEA)& All India Cottonseed Crushers Association (AICOSCA) with the support of Telangana Oil Industry and Trade Association  organized the 2nd edition of National Conference on Cottonseed Oil & Meal Conclave 2019 at Hotel Marigold in Hyderabad.The main objective of the Conclave was to provide a platform for members of the Industry, farmers, government bodies and deliberate on various aspects of Cottonseed oil and meals production, usage and marketing, which will be extremely helpful for the cotton oil processing industry and trade.

The “2nd SEA – AICOSCA – Cottonseed Oil & Meal Conclave 2019″ was conceptualised to spread awareness about cottonseed oil among consumers. Event had several sessions with eminent speakers including Mr. Pasha Patel, Chairman, Maharastra Agriculture Cost & Price Commission, Govt. of Maharashtra; Mr. Atul Chaturvedi, President, SEA; Mr. Sandeep Bajoria, Chairman , AICOSCA; Dr. R.B.N. Prasad, Former Chief Scientist & Head, CSIR; Dr. Prabodh S. Halde, Head-Technical Regulatory Affairs, Marico Limited; Mr. Suresh Kumar Agarwal, President, Telangana Oil Industries and Trade Association; Mr Priyam Patel, Vice President, N.K. Proteins Pvt Ltd, (leading producers/ marketers of cottonseed oil in the world).The panellists deliberated on several issues concerning the prospects of cottonseed oil production&regulatory challenges faced by the cottonseed industry. The Conclave also hosted sessions on best usage of cottonseed meal in feed formation, nutritional aspects and future prospects along with a session on marketing practices to promote cottonseed oil and discussion on price outlook. The event was a huge success with a participation of more than 250 delegates from all over the country

According to Mr. Atul Chaturvedi, President, SEA, “India produces about 13.0 lakh tons of Cottonseed oil and gaining popularity among the consumers.  Cottonseed oil is preferred oil by the organised food industry for the unique frying properties of the oil which keeps our namkeens and snacks fresh for a long period of time.  Cottonseed oil is competitively priced when compared to other oils, which helps increase its acceptability. We are delighted at the response to this conclave and hope that the inputs from the Conclave will positively benefit the cottonseed oil processing industry and trade particularly in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.”

According to Mr. Sandeep Bajoria, Chairman, AICOSCA, “India is now the largest cotton producing country in the world overtaking China and USA and producing between 360-370 lakh bales (170 kgs. Each) of cotton in a year.  According to the latest estimates of the Cotton Advisory Board (CAB), the Central Government Body (under Ministry of Textiles), for estimating production, consumption, import and export of cotton during a season, cotton production in India in the crop year 2017-18was 365 lakh bales (of 170 kgs. each) and would be 330 lakh bales for the ongoing 2018-19 season.The States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, AP & Telangana are the largest producers of Cotton seed in the country and will be the direct beneficiaries of the increased demand for cottonseed oil. We hope that the valuable insights from the different sessions will help spread awareness about cottonseed and help to enhance the consumption of cottonseed oil which is ideal for deep frying and used as a yardstick for measuring the flavour and odour qualities of other edible oils. “

Adding to this Dr. B V Mehta, Executive Director, SEA of India said, “Cotton seed oil is among the most common vegetable oils used in the United States- referred to as American’s original vegetable oil, it has been a part of American diet since the 1800’s and has been in high demand among the consumers since then in USA. The primary use of cottonseed oil is for cooking and it is used for frying, deep frying and baking. Cottonseed oil is said to enhance the natural taste of food. Gujarat is prime state consuming over 6 lakh tonnes of cottonseed oil in consumer packs. Even though the states of Telangana & Andhra Pradesh are among the leading producers of Cotton seed oil, however the lack of awareness about the usage of cottonseed oil, has been a hindrance in its adoption. We have planned the 2^nd conclave for cottonseed oil and meals in Hyderabad to reach-out to the common people and encourage them to use cottonseed oil for the day to day use.”

Mr. P. Koti Rao, Hon. Secretary AICOSCA and Director Tirumala Cotton & Agro Products Pvt. Ltd.added, “Cottonseed is a ‘Golden Goose’ for the farmers as 2/3^rd portion forms cottonseed which yields valuable by products like Oil, cottonseed cake, linters, Hulls, soap and Free Fatty acids. For the local Telangana and Andhra Cuisine, cottonseed oil is light with non-oily consistency useful for deep frying. It is a housewife friendly oil as food cooked in cottonseed oil has a long frying and shelf life. We are hopeful that the people from Telangana & AP adopt cottonseed oil for their day to day cooking.”