Textile industry welcomes Rs 5,659 cr mission to overhaul cotton productivity

Following government intervention in stabilizing cotton price, India is now looking at long-term overhaul of the cotton market. With the Cabinet earmarking Rs 5,659.22 crore for a five-year mission to boost productivity, the textile industry is shifting focus from reactive price support to proactive yield enhancement.

While the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) continues to provide a vital safety net through Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations, having disbursed Rs 11,712 crore during the 2023-24 season alone experts say, sustained global competitiveness requires addressing the productivity gap. Currently, India’s lint productivity lags at approximately 450-500 kg per hectare, compared to higher-yield countries.

Ashwin Chandran, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Textile Industry, notes, the mission is a will reduce dependence on high-cost imported Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton. By integrating advanced High Density Planting Systems and climate-resilient seed technology across 140 districts, the government aims to lift production to 498 lakh bales by 2031. This initiative serves as a buffer for the apparel sector, ensuring stable raw material costs while the industry aggressively pursues global market expansion via recent Free Trade Agreements.

The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) serves as the central nodal agency for government-led agricultural price interventions. It manages a nationwide network of over 500 procurement centers to support millions of farmers. The organization focuses on market price stabilization, trade facilitation, and promoting the ‘farm to fashion’ value chain.