India boosts cotton yield with new techniques, e-NAM expands

India is taking significant strides to boost its cotton production. The government has introduced high-density planting systems (HDPS) and closer spacing (CS) techniques in key cotton-growing regions, resulting in substantial yield increases.

A recent report revealed that HDPS led to a 30.4 per cent average yield increase in shallow soils, while CS boosted yields by 39.15 per cent in medium soils. To further enhance productivity, the government has released new Bt cotton varieties and hybrids suitable for these techniques.

To ensure the availability of quality seeds, India has released 163 Bt cotton hybrids and three non-Bt varieties. Additionally, the government is promoting the adoption of e-NAM (e-National Agriculture Market), an online agricultural market platform, to connect farmers with buyers and improve market access.

To address the issue of crop residue burning, the government has implemented a subsidy scheme to encourage farmers to purchase machinery for managing crop residue. This initiative aims to reduce air pollution and promote sustainable agricultural practices.