Cotton is considered as the white gold and king of fibrecrops.It is one of the most important commercial crops of India and is the single largest natural source of fibre. It plays a dominant role in its agrarian and industrial economy as the backbone of textile industry, which consumes 70% of the country's total fibre produced. Cottonseed contains hull and kernel. The hull produces fibre and linters. The kernel contains oil, protein, carbohydrate and other constituents such as vitamins, minerals, lecithin, sterols etc. Cottonseed oil is extracted from cottonseed kernel. Cottonseed oil, also termed as"Heart Oil" is among the most unsaturated edible oils. It need not be as fully hydrogenated formany a cooking purposes as is required in case of some of the more polyunsaturated oils.
According to analysts, cottonseed oil is cheaper than most other edible oils, and is gaining in popularity in the Indian market, promising better returns to those in the trade and at the same time benefitting consumers.
MadanMangla, owner of Mangla Oil mills said, "There has been a significant jump in the demand in the last five years. So, not only have existing processors expanded capacity, but many new players have also been attracted. Five years ago there were around 10-12 players processing around 40-50 tonnes per day. Now, there are over 30 players processing about 100 tonnes per day. As a whole it is a good project for new entrepreneurs to invest.