ICFA and ICAC back India's Rs 500 crore Cotton Mission for growth

The Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) and the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) have pledged support for India's Rs 500 crore, National Mission on Cotton to boost productivity, sustainability, and global competitiveness. During a round table on the global cotton scenario, Eric B Trachtenberg of ICAC stressed the urgency of addressing stagnating productivity, pest infestations, and climate threats. He warned that without biotech advancements, India risks becoming a major cotton importer. Pink bollworm alone causes an annual loss of Rs 3,900 crore, while climate change threatens 87 lakh bales, impacting key states like Gujarat and Punjab. He urged policy reforms and biotech solutions, including GMO interventions.

Experts including Satbir Singh Gosal and M Prabhakar Rao, highlighted gaps in cotton breeding, pest management, and the need for advanced hybrid seeds. Raghavan Sampath Kumar advocated for stronger textile-seed industry collaboration, while Y G Prasad emphasized climate-resilient varieties.

Key recommendations included advancing hybrid seed technology, strengthening climate resilience, and enhancing market linkages. ICFA CEO Shreyasi Agarwal underscored technology-driven solutions and multi-stakeholder collaboration as vital to revitalizing India's cotton sector and securing farmer prosperity.