Abstract: Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) remains an important commodity in the agricultural economy of the United States. The scope and economic impact extend well beyond the approximately 19,000 farmers that plant between 4 and 6 million hectares of cotton each year. Taking into account the diversified cropping patterns, the nation's cotton farmers cultivate more than 12 million hectares of land each year. While much of the industry is concentrated in 17 cotton-producing states stretching from Virginia to California, the processors and distributors of cotton fiber and downstream manufacturers of cotton apparel and home furnishings are located in virtually every state. Beyond the farm gate, the distribution and processing of cotton includes cotton gins, independent merchants and cooperative merchandisers, warehouses, cottonseed distributors and processors, and textile mills. Farms and businesses directly involved in the production, distribution, and processing of cotton employ almost 200,000 workers and produce direct business revenue of more than US$27 billion. Accounting for the ripple effect of cotton through the broader economy, direct and indirect employment surpasses 420,000 workers with economic activity well in excess of US$100 billion. Among agricultural commodities, cotton is somewhat unique since it functions as both an agricultural commodity and an industrial commodity. Cotton must compete with grains, oilseeds, and other competing crops for available land, while also competing with synthetic fibers in the production of textile and apparel products.
Publication Year: 2015
Publication Date: 2015-05-15
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 4
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