Cotton cultivation gets a boost in Odisha with govt support, WFP partnership

 

Odisha deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo emphasized cotton’s transformative role in the state's agriculture, calling it the ‘white gold’ that bolsters both farmer income and the local economy at a recent workshop. Cotton, grown on 239,000 hectares in the state, constitutes 40 per cent of India’s domestic supply, with Rayagada, Kalahandi, and Bolangir districts contributing 85 per cent of Odisha's output.

Singh Deo said the government is backing initiatives like, direct benefit transfer (DBT) subsidies for inputs like fertilizers, training programs, and the establishment of strategically placed mandis for efficient cotton sales. The high-quality ‘Kasturi Cotton’ from Odisha is gaining international recognition for its long-fiber quality, strengthening the state’s position in global textile markets.

The event also marked a significant partnership as the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment signed an MoU with the World Food Programme to advance cotton productivity and rural development.