The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
has approved a Rs 5,659.22 crore “Mission for Cotton Pro
ductivity” for the period 2026–27 to 2030–31, aimed at address
ing structural challenges and improving productivity and quality
in India’s cotton sector.
The mission seeks to enhance farm-level yields and strengthen
the entire cotton value chain in line with the government’s 5F
vision—spanning farm to global markets.
It will focus on developing high-yielding, climate-resilient and
pest-resistant seed varieties, alongside scaling up modern
agronomic practices such as High Density Planting System
(HDPS), closer spacing, and integrated crop management.
A key component of the programme is improving cotton quality
through modernisation of ginning and processing infrastructure,
strengthening testing and certification systems, and promoting
contamination-free cotton for domestic industry and exports.
The initiative also emphasises branding and traceability under
Kasturi Cotton Bharat to position Indian cotton as a premium
and sustainable product in global markets.
The mission will be implemented jointly by the Ministries of
Agriculture and Textiles, with support from institutions such as
the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Council for
Scientific and Industrial Research, along with State Agricultural
Universities.
Initially, it will cover 140 districts across 14 states and involve
around 2,000 ginning and processing units.
In addition to productivity enhancement, the programme
includes measures to digitise agricultural markets, promote
cotton waste recycling, and diversify fibre production by
encouraging natural fibres such as flax, bamboo, and sisal to
align with evolving global demand.
The mission targets an increase in cotton production to 498 lakh
bales by 2031, with lint productivity rising from 440 kg per
hectare to 755 kg per hectare. It is expected to benefit
approximately 32 lakh farmers and contribute to greater
self-reliance in the cotton sector while strengthening India’s
position in global textile markets.