CCI to select districts nationwide for cotton productivity trials: Minister

The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) will identify one district in each state for cotton productivity trials, Union Minister Giriraj Singh announced. The initiative aims to boost per-hectare yield by adopting global best practices, as India lags behind nations like Brazil and China, where yields reach 2,200 kg per hectare, compared to India's 450-500 kg.

Singh emphasized scaling up the successful ‘Akola model’ nationwide to enhance productivity. The government is also targeting a rise in India's textile market size to $350 billion by 2030, up from the current $176 billion. Employment in the sector is expected to rise from 4.5 crore to 6 crore.

The Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated Rs 5,272 crore for the Ministry of Textiles, a 19 per cent increase over last year. It also introduced an Rs 500 crore National Cotton Technology Mission under the five-year Cotton Mission, focusing on extra-long staple cotton.

Singh highlighted the upcoming Bharat Tex expo, expecting 6,000 foreign exhibitors from 126 nations, double last year’s figure. He also expressed confidence that India will begin producing carbon fiber by 2026, boosting technical textiles for defense applications.