Cotton

Cotton (also called suuf) is a natural fiber derived from the seed pods of the Gossypium plant. These fibers accumulate within a protective capsule (boll) that the plant forms as the seed ripens, then splits open. The fiber, which is mostly cellulose, is collected, cleaned, combed, and spun into thread.

Cotton is one of the most widely used fibers for making textiles worldwide. It absorbs moisture well, allows air to pass through it, and dyes easily, which makes it well suited to hot climates.

The plant and its cultivation

Gossypium is a small bushy plant native to warm and subtropical regions. It requires steady heat, abundant sunlight, and regular irrigation—usually from rainfall. Farmers cultivate the crop in rows and manage pests, which pose significant challenges to cotton farming. Harvesting is done by hand or machine, depending on the level of technology available and labor costs.

Processing

After harvest, fiber and seed are mixed together. A machine called a gin separates the two. The fiber is then cleaned, carded, and spun into thread when twisted. The thread is then woven or knitted into fabric. The leftover seed is not discarded: oil suitable for human consumption is extracted from it, and the remaining solids are used as animal feed.

Economics and history

Cotton has been cultivated in India, Egypt, and the Americas for a long time before the modern era. In the 18th and 19th centuries, British textile machinery and cotton plantations in the American South had direct links to slavery and industrial development. Today, the largest producers are China, India, the United States, Pakistan, and Brazil.

Environmental concerns

Cotton farming uses large amounts of water and chemical pesticides, which have affected water supplies in some parts of the world. As a result, alternative methods have been promoted, including organic cotton and genetically modified varieties designed to reduce pesticide use.