Fund allocation for Kapas Kranti to strengthen India’s textile value chain: SIMA

The Union Cabinet’s recent authorization of funds worth Rs 5,659.22 crore for the Mission for Cotton Productivity (MCP) through 2030-31 signals a decisive intervention to secure India’s ‘Farm to Fiber’ ecosystem, says Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA). However, the industry eyes the mission as a critical corrective measure for a sector grappling with stagnant yields and a 15 per cent increase in high-quality cotton imports. The initiative aims to nearly double lint productivity from the current 440 kg/ha to 755 kg/ha by the end of the decade, targeting a total output of 498 lakh bales.

This capital infusion is specifically allocated to scale High-Density Planting Systems (HDPS) and fast-track the commercialization of climate-resilient, pest-resistant seeds. Securing domestic supply for Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton is paramount for India to maintain its global edge in premium apparel, states Durai Palanisamy, Chairman, SIMA. A recent trial in Maharashtra’s Akola region demonstrated, HDPS could enhance yield by up to 30 per cent, a model the mission plans to replicate across 140 districts.

By integrating 2,000 ginning units into a digitized, traceable supply chain via the Kasturi Cotton Bharat brand, the government expects to lower trash content below 2 per cent. This modernization is essential for Indian yarn manufacturers to meet the stringent quality and ESG mandates of international luxury labels, potentially driving a 20 per cent growth in value-added textile exports by 2027.

A premier representative body for the organized textile industry in Southern India, SIMA primarily serves the spinning and weaving sectors. It focuses on policy advocacy and supply chain sustainability for cotton-rich markets. The association aims to support India’s target of a $350 billion textile economy by 2030 through enhanced domestic raw material security.