Beyond fiber, cotton seeds are proving highly valuable in Bangladesh. After processing in ginning mills, the seeds are used to produce cottonseed oil, which the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) has certified as a nutritious, high-quality edible oil low in cholesterol. Globally, the cottonseed oil market exceeds $3 billion, and entrepreneurs believe Bangladesh could save billions in import costs if domestic cotton cultivation expands. Third Episode of Series Report on Cotton Cultivation by Sushanta Singha

Another major byproduct, cottonseed cake, is rich in nutrients—24% protein, 20% fat, and 40% fiber—making it an excellent livestock feed that enhances milk and meat production. Farmers in Chuadanga are already supplying cotton at Tk 100 per kg to ginning mills, where seeds are separated and processed into oil and feed.

Experts and entrepreneurs stress that scaling up cotton cultivation would not only reduce dependence on imported cotton but also boost food security and livestock productivity through these valuable byproducts.