DECLINE IN COTTON PRODUCTION

A combination of factors, including a reduction in the area under cotton cultivation, adverse climatic conditions such as uneven rainfall and extreme temperatures in predominantly rainfed regions, the negative impact of monocropping on soil health, a shift by farmers to more remunerative crops, and the resurgence of major pests like pink bollworm and whitefly, along with increased incidence of diseases such as cotton leaf curl virus, boll rot, Tobacco Streak Virus, and other emerging secondary pests have affected cotton production and yield in recent years.

To enhance cotton productivity and quality, promote innovation and strengthen the entire textile value chain, a five-year ‘Mission for Cotton Productivity’ has been announced in the Union Budget 2025–26. The Mission aims to boost cotton production through strategic interventions, including research and extension activities across all cotton- growing states. The Mission also proposes to focus on developing climate- smart, pest-resistant, and high-yielding cotton varieties, including Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, using advanced breeding and biotechnology tools.

Further, a Special Project on Cotton titled ‘Targeting technologies to agro-ecological zones-large scale demonstration of best practices to enhance cotton productivity’ has been implemented by ICAR- Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur in 8 major cotton growing states under National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) during FY 2023-24 and FY 2045-25 to enhance productivity of cotton and production of ELS cotton. The Special Project was further extended during FY 2025-26.

Under the ‘Mission for Cotton Productivity’, districts have been identified for productivity enhancement based on their low cotton productivity and area coverage. The Mission targets these districts for upscaling of region-specific technologies and best practices. State-wise details of selected districts are annexed below.

ICAR–CICR has identified high-productivity cotton-growing districts across the major cotton-producing States based on area coverage. The State-wise details are annexed below.

(i) Large area – Low productivity (37 districts):

(ii) Less area – low productivity (40 districts):

(i) Large Area – High Productivity (25 districts; Benchmark yield: 586 kg lint/ha):

(ii) Less Area – High Productivity (41 districts; Benchmark yield: 576 kg lint/ha):

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA