Boosting Domestic Production Essential to End Reliance on Cotton Imports

12-May-2026 07:44 PM

Ahmedabad. India is a leading global producer of cotton, with large-scale cultivation taking place across at least 11 states. These include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. With the sole exception of Odisha, BT cotton is cultivated in all these states.

While India boasts a larger area under cotton cultivation than any other country in the world, it lags significantly in terms of average yield rates; consequently, domestic cotton production fails to reach the desired levels.

The Central Government has launched an ambitious 'Cotton Mission,' backed by a substantial outlay of ₹56.69 billion, which places special emphasis on improving both the average yield rate and the quality of cotton.

Although the scheme is well-conceived and the allocated funds are adequate, the real challenge lies in its earnest implementation and in translating it into tangible results on the ground. If this mission meets with only partial or half-hearted success—as has been the case with certain other initiatives—it will fail to achieve its intended objectives.