India to revamp cotton mission to boost production and quality.

India's textile ministry is launching a revamped Cotton Technology Mission to improve cotton production and quality. This five-year plan aims to make India a leader in textile sourcing and reduce reliance on cotton imports.

The revamped mission aims to:

• Increase domestic cotton production using best practices, quality seeds, and high-density planting.
• Reduce imports of high-quality cotton by 2030.
• Boost farmer incomes through higher yields and better market prices.

It will focus on new technologies for cleaner cotton with less trash and contamination, and real-time sample testing. There will be collaboration with ICAR, cotton associations, and ginners. Also on the agenda is a potential shift from Bt cotton to indigenous varieties like Kasturi cotton.

However, these moves are fraught with challenges. One major issue is the limited availability of Kasturi cotton seeds currently. Also, there is  need for sustained efforts over 10 years to establish a significant market share for Kasturi cotton.

The ministry is also looking to expand India's footprint in technical textiles, a growing market with a target of $10 billion in exports within five years. Meanwhile cotton production has declined in recent years, with an estimated drop to 31.6 million bales in 2023-24. Textile exports declined to $34.40 billion in FY24, but showed some recent growth.

The revamped mission aims to revitalize India's cotton sector, enhance its global competitiveness, and benefit both farmers and the textile industry.