Gujarat leads India in cotton production with 9.05 million bales in 2023-24

Gujarat emerged as India’s top cotton producer in 2023-24, recording 9.05 million bales (170 kg each), the Government informed Parliament. Maharashtra followed with 8.04 million bales, while Telangana produced 5.08 million bales. In fact, Telangana remains India's third-largest cotton producer but the state’s cotton output fell to 50.80 lakh bales in 2023-24, down from 57.45 lakh bales in the previous season. However, it was still higher than the 48.78 lakh bales recorded in 2021-22.

Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur, in response to a parliamentary query, stated that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) procured 3.28 million bales under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme, selling 3.18 million bales. Due to better domestic prices and unfavorable export conditions, no cotton exports were recorded.

The MSP for cotton has steadily increased over the past three years, ensuring at least 50 per cent returns above production costs. For 2023-24, MSP stood at Rs 6,620 per quintal for medium staple and Rs 7,020 for long staple cotton.

To support farmers, CCI has set up 507 procurement centers across 12 cotton-growing states, including nine in Amravati and 15 in Yavatmal, Maharashtra. While India does not impose restrictions on cotton exports, the government does not import cotton, leaving trade to private entities. The country’s total cotton production in 2023-24 stood at 32.52 million bales, reflecting a slight decline from the previous year’s 33.66 million bales.