Cotton sector gets ₹5,659 crore boost, 32 lakh farmers to benefit
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved a ₹5,659.22 crore outlay for the “Mission for Cotton Productivity” for the period 2026–27 to 2030–31. The initiative aims to address stagnation in yields, quality concerns, and supply bottlenecks in India’s cotton sector, while enhancing global competitiveness.
The mission is aligned with the government’s “5F” vision—Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign—and seeks to strengthen the entire cotton value chain, from production to exports.
Under the programme, the focus will be on developing high-yielding, climate-resilient and pest-resistant seed varieties, alongside the promotion of modern crop production techniques. These include High Density Planting System (HDPS), closer spacing, and integrated cotton management practices. Special emphasis will also be placed on increasing the production of Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton to meet industry demand.
The government plans to improve cotton quality through capacity building and by modernising ginning and processing units. Around 2,000 such factories are expected to be covered, with the adoption of best practices aimed at reducing contamination and improving fibre quality.
To ensure reliable quality assessment, the mission will strengthen cotton testing infrastructure across the country with standardised and accredited facilities. In addition, branding and traceability initiatives under Kasturi Cotton Bharat will be scaled up to position Indian cotton as a premium and globally trusted product.
Digital integration of agricultural markets is another key component, aimed at enabling transparent price discovery and better returns for farmers through e-platforms. The mission will also promote recycling of cotton waste and encourage circular economy practices within the textile sector.
In a move to diversify the fibre base, the initiative will support the use of alternative natural fibres such as flax, ramie, sisal, bamboo, banana, and milkweed, aligning India’s textile sector with evolving global sustainability trends.
The programme will be jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Ministry of Textiles, with support from institutions including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. It will initially cover 140 districts across 14 major cotton-growing states.
The mission targets an increase in cotton production to 498 lakh bales by 2030–31, with lint productivity expected to rise from 440 kg per hectare to 755 kg per hectare. Around 32 lakh farmers are projected to benefit from the initiative.
According to the government, the mission is expected to enhance farmer incomes, improve quality standards, and strengthen India’s position in global textile markets while moving towards self-sufficiency in cotton production.
