The much-anticipated Technology Mission on Cotton, aimed at boosting productivity and promoting long-staple varieties, may be postponed until next year. This delay is due to the main sowing window for cotton already having passed, with reports of lower acreage from several Indian states. If the government finalises the mission this year, its implementation is likely to be aligned with the next kharif season.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced the ‘Mission for Cotton Productivity’ in her Budget speech for 2025-26. This five-year mission was designed to significantly improve cotton farming practices, focusing on sustainability and encouraging the cultivation of extra-long staple cotton. The plan was to provide farmers with advanced science and technology support. This initiative is a key part of the government’s integrated 5F vision for the textile sector, which encompasses farm, fibre, factory, fashion, and foreign trade. The goal is to increase farmers’ incomes and ensure a reliable supply of quality cotton to revitalise India’s textile industry.
A crucial aspect under consideration for the mission is the government’s stance on herbicide-tolerant (HT) genetically modified (GM) technology. Despite farmers reportedly growing HT Bt cotton illegally for several years, the government has yet to make a formal decision on its approval. Anti-GM activists have raised concerns, pointing out that these unapproved varieties are being cultivated without any intervention from state governments.
Sources indicate that the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), which oversees the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), has been assigned the responsibility for the mission. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Ministry of Textiles are also involved. The proposed budget for the mission is ₹2,500 crore over five years, with the Finance Ministry yet to approve the annual expenditure. The government has earmarked ₹500 crore for the Cotton Mission in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
India’s cotton productivity has seen a modest increase, rising to 465 kg per hectare in 2024-25 from 436 kg per hectare in the previous year. However, this figure still lags significantly behind other major cotton-producing countries. For example, China boasts a yield of 2,402 kg per hectare, followed by Australia at 2,032 kg and Brazil at 1,903 kg, according to data from the USDA.
Adding to the concerns, the total cotton acreage in India has dropped by 3.2 per cent to 106.96 lakh hectares as of August 8 this season, compared to 110.49 lakh hectares in the same period last year. Major cotton-producing states like Gujarat and Maharashtra have reported lower acreage. Gujarat’s cotton area stands at 20.59 lakh hectares, down from 23.47 lakh hectares, while Maharashtra’s has decreased to 38.39 lakh hectares from 42.47 lakh hectares. Rajasthan is an exception, with cotton acreage increasing to 6.29 lakh hectares from 5.13 lakh hectares.
Agriculture scientist A.K. Singh highlighted a broader trend, noting that the area under oilseeds has also declined for the second consecutive season, even after the launch of an Oilseed Mission. He commented that the dip in cotton acreage before the launch of a similar mission suggests a need for a holistic approach to agricultural planning. With limited cultivable land, farmers are likely to shift to crops that offer better prices, as evidenced by the increased area under paddy and maize. This shift underscores the importance of effective crop planning by the government. Earlier reports in May had indicated a potential further shrinkage in cotton acreage for the kharif 2024 season, with farmers reportedly favouring maize and groundnut.