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Mission for Cotton Productivity

  • Approval by the Union Cabinet: The Cabinet meeting approved the Mission for Cotton Productivity with an outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore.
  • Implementation Period: From 2026-27 to 2030-31 (5 years)
  • Announcement: In the Union Budget 2025-26.
  • The Mission aligns with the Government of India's '5-F' vision: Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.
  • Key Objectives:
    • Development of disease- and pest-resistant High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds.
    • Expansion of advanced cotton production techniques (such as the High-Density Planting System - HDPS).
    • Modernization of ginning and processing units.
    • Robust branding and global standardization under 'Kasturi Cotton Bharat'.
    • Digital integration of market mandis and enabling transparent pricing.
    • Promotion of cotton waste recycling and circular economy systems.
    • Diversification using natural fibers (flax, bamboo, banana, etc.).
    • The Ministry of Textiles is involved as a key partner.
    • Initial focus will be on 140 districts across 14 states.
  • Implementation: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
  • Target (by 2031):
    Parameters Current Target (2031)
    Productivity (kg/hectare) ~440 755
    Total Production 297 Lakh Bales 498 Lakh Bales
    Tuber Size 170 kg 170 kg
    • To benefit approximately 3.2 million farmers and foster their self-reliance.
    • To promote the 'Kasturi Cotton Bharat' initiative.
    • To reduce wastage to less than 2 percent.

The 'Kasturi Cotton Bharat' Initiative

  • Primary Objective: To strengthen the branding, identity, and quality certification of Indian cotton.
    • To expand the global market access for Indian cotton.
  • This initiative is driven by the joint efforts of the Ministry of Textiles, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), trade bodies, and industry partners.
  • Implementing Body: The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL) has been designated as the nodal agency for the certification and branding activities of this program.
  • A blockchain and QR-code-based authentication system is utilized to ensure the complete traceability of cotton bales.
  • Certification: Only high-quality cotton is awarded the "Kasturi Cotton" tag. This guarantees purity, long staple length, strength, and sustainability.
  • Products bearing the "Kasturi" logo and mark command a premium price. Consumers can easily identify it as India's finest cotton.

Cotton in India

  • Nickname: Due to its economic significance, cotton is referred to as 'White Gold'.
  • History: Evidence of its cultivation and weaving dating back 8,000 years has been found within the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC). This positioned India at the very center of ancient global trade.
  • Cotton Species in India: India is the only country in the world where all four major species of cotton—Arboreum, Herbaceum, Barbadense, and Hirsutum are cultivated.

Geographical and Climatic Requirements

  • Temperature: 21°C to 30°C (Tropical and Subtropical climates). Growth ceases below 20°C.
  • Frost: It requires a minimum of 210 frost-free days.
  • Sunshine: Bright and intense sunshine is essential during the crop maturation phase and when the bolls open.
  • Rainfall: 50 cm to 100 cm of annual rainfall.
    • Waterlogging is detrimental to the crop.
  • Soil: Deep black soil is optimal due to its high moisture-retention capacity.
    • Cultivation is also feasible in alluvial soils and mixed red-and-black soils.
    • Well-drained terrain.
    • Salhatti: A region in Northern Karnataka characterized by black soil.
    • Donghatti: A region in Southern Karnataka characterized by red soil.
  • Varieties: Vikas, Vikram, Vijay, Kalyan, Narmada.

Major Cotton-Producing Regions of India

  1. Northern Region (Punjab, Haryana, Northern Rajasthan):
    • High productivity. [American Cotton (Long-Staple) → Narma]
  2. Central Region (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh):
    • Black soil; the largest region (55%);
    • However, productivity is low primarily because it is rain-fed.
  3. Southern Region (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka):
    • Red-and-black soil; the primary region for long-staple (Extra Long Staple – ELS) cotton.

Production and Statistics

  • Global Status:
    • Ranked first globally in terms of acreage (accounting for 36% of the world's total).
    • Production: 1. China 2. India 
  • Productivity Crisis: Yield per hectare in India is very low, as 65% of cultivation is rain-dependent.
  • Top 3 Producing States (2024–25):   1. Gujarat (27%)   2. Maharashtra (24–25%)   3. Telangana (16%).
  • Highest Productivity – Gujarat.
  • Largest Acreage – Maharashtra.
  • Central Institute for Cotton Research – Nagpur, Maharashtra.

Bt Cotton:

  • This is the only GM (Genetically Modified) crop approved for commercial cultivation in India.
  • It was introduced in 2002 to provide protection against the 'American Bollworm' pest.
  • Initial Success: Pesticide usage declined, yields increased, and India emerged as a net exporter.