India’s Cotton Productivity Mission to launch in four months with Rs 2,500 crore investment

The Mission for Cotton Productivity, announced in the Union Budget last month, is set to launch in four to five months with an allocation of Rs 2,500 crore over five years. It will operate through three mini missions focusing on different aspects of the cotton sector.

The first mini mission, Kapas Kranti, led by the Central Institute for Cotton Research, aims to boost cotton yield and productivity through research, extension, and human resource development. The second, under the Cotton Corporation of India, will modernize 1,000 ginning and pressing units. The third mission will promote sustainable natural fibers like banana, milkweed, and bamboo.

A Ministry of Textiles official stated that the initiative would be developed through consultations with stakeholders. The funding for each mini mission will vary, with an annual allocation of approximately Rs 500 crore. The program will also encourage the production of Extra Long Staple cotton, including Kasturi cotton.

With global brands increasingly seeking certified and traceable cotton, the mission aims to establish traceability and certification for Indian cotton, strengthening its position in the international market.