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India shifts cotton strategy from protection to productivity
The textiles ministry has reoriented its cotton strategy from pest protection to productivity improvement, targeting a yield increase of at least 50 kg per hectare annually under the Rs 5,659 crore Cotton…
The Story in Brief
The textiles ministry has reoriented its cotton strategy from pest protection to productivity improvement, targeting a yield increase of at least 50 kg per hectare annually under the Rs 5,659 crore Cotton Productivity Mission (Kapas Kanti). The goal is to raise average productivity from 428 kg/ha in FY26 to 755 kg/ha by FY31. India's current yield is well below the global average of 833 kg/ha despite having the world's largest cotton area.
However, the Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption has estimated that production in the 2025-26 season will drop to 290.24 lakh bales from 297.24 lakh bales last season, according to The Hindu. Imports are rising sharply, with raw cotton imports up 54.6% to $1.86 billion in FY26, as per Livemint.
The Indian Opinion
The renewed focus on productivity is welcome, but the narrative that it alone will solve the cotton crisis ignores the steady decline in area under cultivation and rising costs. Farmers like Ganesh Nanote of Vidarbha rightly demand better MSP and mechanised harvesting. The mission's success hinges on delivering high-yielding seeds and training to millions, especially as imports surge. The real test: can cotton output reach 49.8 million bales by FY31 without expanding land?
Sources (2): livemint.com, thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
