Cotton Sector in India

 

Context:

The recent Union Budget highlighted the declining productivity as seen in the cotton sector. Accordingly, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an allocation of ₹500 crore for the National Cotton Technology Mission.

 

Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)

 

Dimensions of the Article:

  • Key issues in the cotton sector
  • National Cotton Mission
  • About Cotton
  • Way forward

 

Key Issues in the Cotton Sector:

  • Fall in Productivity: The sector saw a huge drop from 502 kg/hectare in 2014-15 to 461 kg/hectare in 2024-25.
  • Outdated Seeds: The farmers still use the Bollgard-2 variant of the  which is less effective and more prone to crop damages from bollworms. However, the Bollgard-3 seeds are yet to get their approval.
  • Costly farming methods: Modern mechanised farming techniques are too costly for farmers.
  • Policy Gaps: Over 90% of farmers fail to get the MSP due to limited government procurement.

 

National Cotton Mission:

  • The mission plans to increase the production of cotton in India, alongside enhancing the productivity and quality of cotton through research, technology transfer, and capacity building.
  • The mission tries to address the issues faced by the cotton farmers and the entire cotton sector.

 

 About Cotton:

  • It is a kharif crop that is suitable for dry, arid climates.
  • Cotton, as a material for the textile industry, fulfils 27% of the world’s textile needs.
  • Cotton requires a well-drained black soil, also known as Regur Soil. (E.g. soil of the Deccan Plateau).
  • Top Cotton Producing Countries: India > China > USA
  • Top Cotton Producing States in India: Gujarat > Maharashtra > Telangana > Rajasthan > Andhra Pradesh
  • Four Cultivated Species of Cotton: Gossypium arboreum, G.herbaceum, G.hirsutum and G.barbadense.
  • Bt Cotton: It is a genetically modified pest-resistant variety of cotton.

 

Way Forward

The government should implement M.S. Swaminathan Commission recommendations that require MSPs to be at 50%  above comprehensive costs. Moreover, budget allocations should be kept aside for seed technology that can strengthen procurement mechanisms and reduce input costs.

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