Context:

• On 5 May 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the ‘Cotton Productivity Mission’ (2026–27 to 2030–31) with a total outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore.

Key Points:

• Total Outlay: ₹5,659.22 crore
• Duration: 5 years (2026–27 to 2030–31)
• Productivity Target: Increase lint productivity from 440 kg/hectare to 755 kg/hectare
• Production Target: Increase total production to 498 lakh bales (170 kg per bale) by 2030–31
• Beneficiaries: Around 3.2 million (32 lakh) farmers will directly benefit from this mission

Major Strategies and Features:

This mission is based on the Prime Minister’s ‘5F’ vision (Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, Fashion to Foreign):

• Advanced Seed Technology: Development of climate-resilient, high-yielding, and pest-resistant (such as Pink Bollworm-resistant) seed varieties.

Modern Farming Practices:

• HDPS (High-Density Planting System): Increasing yield by planting more plants per unit area.
• ELS (Extra Long Staple) Cotton: Promotion of high-quality long-fibre cotton to reduce import dependence.

Infrastructure and Quality:

• Modernization of about 2,000 ginning and processing units
• Kasturi Cotton Bharat: Branding, traceability, and certification of Indian cotton
• Target to reduce trash content in cotton to below 2%
• Digitization and Market: Digital integration of local mandis for transparent price discovery
• Diversification: Promotion of natural fibres such as flax, bamboo, banana, and sisal

Implementation Mechanism:

• Nodal Ministries: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Ministry of Textiles (jointly)
• Institutional Support: Includes 10 ICAR institutes, 1 CSIR institute, and 10 All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) centres
• Geographical Coverage: Initially focused on 140 districts in 14 states

Cotton Productivity Mission:

• Announcement: Union Budget 2025–26
• Budget Outlay: ₹5,659.22 crore
• Time Period: 5 years (2026–27 to 2030–31)
• Nodal Ministries: Ministry of Agriculture + Ministry of Textiles (Jointly)
• Supporting Institutions: 10 ICAR institutes + 1 CSIR institute
• Coverage: 140 districts in 14 states

Cotton:

• Type of Crop: It is a Kharif crop
• Known as: “White Gold”
• India is the second-largest producer and consumer of cotton after China, with the largest cultivation area globally (however, its productivity is relatively low). It contributes about 20% to global cotton production.
• Cotton Producing States: As per 2024–25 estimates, the largest cotton-producing states in India are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, and Karnataka.
• Most of India’s cotton production comes from 9 major cotton-producing states.
• These are classified into three distinct agro-ecological zones as follows:

 Northern Zone: Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan

 Central Zone: Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh

 Southern Zone: Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka

• Soil: ‘Regur’ or Black Soil is most suitable, also called cotton soil
• Climate: Tropical and Subtropical (21°C to 30°C temperature)
• Rainfall: 50 to 100 cm
• Special Condition: About 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine are essential during crop maturity

Important Measurements and Institutions:

• Bale: Cotton is measured in ‘bales’; in India, 1 bale = 170 kg
• Uses: Fibre is used in the textile industry, and seeds (binola) are used for oil and cattle feed

Institutions:

• Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR): Nagpur, Maharashtra
• Cotton Corporation of India (CCI): Navi Mumbai

The Government of India has launched several important initiatives to make the cotton industry globally competitive and increase farmers’ income.

Cotton Development Programme under NFSM (2014–15):

• Implemented under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in cotton-growing states to increase productivity
• Objective: Increase per hectare yield through improved agricultural techniques
• Strategy: Focus on frontline demonstrations, farmer training, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), mainly in rainfed areas

National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) – 2020:

• Objective: To make India a global leader in technical textiles (such as medical, military, and automobile-grade fabrics)
• Duration: 4 years (2020–21 to 2023–24)
• Four Pillars: Research & Development (R&D), promotion and market development, export promotion, and education/training
• Goal: Expand the domestic market and reduce dependence on imports of technical textiles

Mega Investment Textile Parks (MITRA):

• Also known as ‘PM MITRA’ scheme to make the Indian textile industry globally competitive
• 5F Vision: Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, Fashion to Foreign
• Facility: Integrated parks where spinning, weaving, processing, and printing are located at one place, significantly reducing logistics cost

Cott-Ally Mobile App:

• A digital platform developed by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)
• Benefit: Farmers can get information about crop sale status, payments, nearby procurement centres, and cotton quality on their phones
• Transparency: Helps reduce middlemen and ensures direct MSP benefits to farmers

Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption (COCPC):

• An advisory body under the Ministry of Textiles (earlier known as the Cotton Advisory Board)
• Function: Prepares official data/estimates on production, consumption, imports, and exports of cotton
• Importance: Its reports help the government in policy decisions like export policy and market intervention (such as MSP operations), ensuring coordination among government, industry, and farmers