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Informist, Tuesday, May 5, 2026

 

--Cabinet OKs INR 56.59 bln for Mission for Cotton Productivity

 

NEW DELHI – The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tuesday approved an outlay of INR 56.59 billion for the Mission for Cotton Productivity spanning from 2026–27 (Apr-Mar) to FY31, with an aim to raise output, improve quality, and strengthen India's competitiveness in global textile markets.

 

The mission, according to a government release, seeks to address stagnating yields and quality concerns in the cotton sector, while aligning with the government's "farm-to-fibre-to-fashion-to-foreign" strategy to boost value addition and exports.

 

The programme will focus on developing high-yielding, climate-resilient and pest-resistant seed varieties, alongside scaling up modern cultivation techniques such as high-density planting and integrated crop management through state agencies, agricultural universities and extension networks, the release said. 

 

It also aims to improve cotton quality by modernising ginning and processing units, expanding testing infrastructure, and promoting best practices to reduce contamination. Branding and traceability efforts under 'Kasturi Cotton Bharat' will be strengthened to position Indian cotton as a premium, globally trusted product, it said.

 

The mission includes digital integration of mandis to improve price discovery and farmer access to markets, as well as promotion of recycling and circular economy practices in the textile value chain. It also seeks to diversify fibre use by encouraging natural alternatives such as flax, bamboo and banana fibre.

 

Implementation will be led by the agriculture and textiles ministries, with support from institutions including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, covering 140 districts initially across 14 states and about 2,000 ginning units.

 

The government aims to raise cotton production to 49.8 million bales by FY31, while increasing average lint productivity to 755 kg per hectare from about 440 kg currently. Around 3.2 million farmers are expected to benefit from the initiative, per the release. India's cotton production for the 2025-26 season (Oct-Sept) is estimated at around 32.40 million bales (one bale = 170 kg), according to the latest estimate by Cotton Association of India.

 

The mission is part of broader efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in cotton and enhance India's position in global textile supply chains, it said.  End

 

Reported by Pallavi Singhal

Edited by Tanima Banerjee

 

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