Cotton Productivity

India’s Mission for Cotton Productivity is a critical initiative launched as part of the government’s broader Textile Vision 2030. This mission aims to significantly enhance cotton production in India, aligning with the government’s goal of building a USD 250 billion textile industry and achieving USD 100 billion in textile exports by 2030. It’s a five-year initiative designed to increase cotton yields and improve the quality of cotton in the country, thus boosting both domestic production and global competitiveness.

Mission for Cotton Productivity

Overview:

• The Mission for Cotton Productivity was launched in the Union Budget 2025-26 as part of India's vision to make the country a global textile manufacturing hub.

• The mission aims to enhance cotton production through scientific research, technological innovation, and climate-smart agricultural practices.

• It will support cotton farmers with advanced technologies to improve yields, fiber quality, and resilience against pests and climate challenges.

• The mission will operate under the Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE), with the Ministry of Textiles playing a key role.

• The mission follows the Government’s 5F Vision – Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, Fashion to Foreign, which highlights the entire cotton value chain.

Key Objectives:

• Increase cotton productivity using advanced scientific methods, developing pest-resistant, high-yielding, and climate-smart varieties, including Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton.

• Enhance fiber quality through biotechnology tools and improved breeding techniques.

• Equip farmers with cutting-edge technologies to combat climate change effects and pest-related challenges.

• Ensure a consistent supply of high-quality cotton, essential for revitalizing India’s traditional textile industry.

Why the Mission is Needed

India holds the distinction of being the world’s largest cotton-growing nation by acreage, but the country lags significantly in terms of productivity.

• Low Productivity: Despite having 40% of the world’s cotton area (around 130.61 lakh hectares), India ranks 39th globally in cotton productivity, with an average yield of just 447 kg/ha. This is far lower than other leading cotton producers like the USA, Brazil, and China.

• Rising Dependence on Imports: Cotton imports in India surged from USD 518.4 million in 2023-24 to USD 1.04 billion in 2024-25, while exports declined. This signifies a growing imbalance between domestic production and the needs of the textile industry.

• Pest Resistance: The cotton industry’s success with Bt cotton has been tempered by increasing pest resistance, particularly to the pink bollworm (PBW), which threatens yields.

• Stagnation in Biotech Adoption: India has not approved any new genetically modified (GM) cotton variants since 2006, while other countries like Brazil and the US have adopted advanced biotech traits to boost yields and combat pests.

• Missed Opportunities in Global Markets: While India once led global cotton exports, countries like Brazil and the US have taken market share due to their adoption of advanced biotech and higher yields.

Key Factors Influencing Cotton Cultivation in India

Cotton is a critical crop for India, both in terms of its economic impact and its role in the global textile industry. Several factors affect its cultivation:

• Temperature: Cotton grows best in warm climates with temperatures ranging between 21°C and 43°C, though temperatures below 21°C can harm the crop.

• Rainfall: Cotton requires 50 to 100 cm of rainfall and 210 frost-free days for optimal growth. Well-distributed rainfall and dry periods during harvest are crucial.

• Soil: Cotton thrives in well-drained deep alluvial soils in the north, black clayey soils in the central region, and a mix of black soils in the south.

• Pest Management: Pests, especially the pink bollworm, continue to be a significant challenge, reducing cotton yields and impacting quality.

India’s Existing Initiatives to Develop the Cotton Sector

To support cotton productivity, India has implemented several programs and initiatives:

1. Cotton Development Programme under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM).

2. PM MITRA Scheme: Focuses on developing integrated textile parks.

3. Cotton Corporation of India (CCI): Facilitates cotton procurement and price stabilization.

4. Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Cotton: Ensures farmers receive fair prices for their produce.

5. Kasturi Cotton Bharat Programme: Promotes premium quality cotton under the “Kasturi Cotton” brand.

6. Cott-Ally Mobile App: Provides farmers with data and resources on cotton cultivation.

Steps Needed for India to Become Self-Reliant in Cotton

To make India self-reliant in cotton, several strategic steps are required:

1. Accelerate R&D and Biotech Approvals:

   • Fast-track approval of next-gen GM cotton variants, including Bt 3.0 (resistant to pink bollworm) and other biotech traits like herbicide tolerance and RNA interference (RNAi) technologies.

   • Countries like Brazil and the USA have advanced biotech adoption, increasing cotton yields to over 1,500 kg/ha.

2. Promote Extra Long Staple (ELS) Cotton:

   • ELS cotton, known for its superior quality, should be promoted through premium MSP, contract farming models, and cluster-based approaches.

   • This will help increase the supply of high-quality cotton suitable for the premium export market.

3. Integrated Pest and Farm Management (IPM):

   • Scale up Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to control pests like pink bollworm using pheromone traps, sterile male techniques, and crop rotation.

   • ICAR-CICR’s PBW management protocols have been successful in Maharashtra and should be expanded.

4. Enhance Market and Export Competitiveness:

   • Brand “Kasturi Cotton India” to promote premium quality and sustainability in the global market.

   • Establish cotton quality testing hubs and encourage the development of cluster-based textile parks under initiatives like PM-MITRA.

5. Create a Digital Cotton Ecosystem:

   • Utilize AI-driven pest alerts, remote sensing for yield monitoring, and blockchain for traceability to modernize the cotton value chain.

   • The Digital Agriculture Mission (2021-25) supports the integration of emerging technologies in agriculture, which can be leveraged for cotton cultivation.

6. Climate-Smart Cotton Cultivation:

   • Implement micro-irrigation systems, organic farming, and precision nutrient management to improve water use efficiency and reduce input costs.

   • The Ashok Dalwai Committee has recommended climate-resilient practices to address the challenges of water stress and changing weather patterns.

Conclusion

The Mission for Cotton Productivity represents a critical step in transforming India’s cotton sector, making it more sustainable, competitive, and resilient. By implementing advanced biotech, improving pest management, and promoting high-quality cotton production, India can reduce its dependence on imports, revive cotton exports, and significantly enhance farmer incomes. If executed effectively, this mission can also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-2 (Zero Hunger), SDG-8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), and SDG-9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The mission has the potential to not only strengthen India’s textile value chain but also position the country as a dominant player in the global cotton market by 2030.