Textile minister praises high density cotton plantation in Akola

Union textile minister Giriraj Singh has lauded the High-Density Plantation System (HDPS) adopted by Akola farmers, promising to expand its implementation across India. During a visit to the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Singh announced plans to bring 50,000 hectares in Akola under mechanized farming using the HDPS method. This is expected to boost cotton yields significantly and increase farmers' incomes.

The HDPS, which involves planting more cotton plants per acre, has shown promising results in Akola. The minister expressed confidence that the Akola model can be replicated in other cotton-growing regions of India. He highlighted the BG-II cotton variety as a key component of the expansion plan, targeting 50,000 hectares for sowing in June 2025.

Singh emphasized the government's commitment to improving India's cotton production. With a global market worth $350 billion, India aims to increase its annual cotton output to 20 million tonnes.

The minister acknowledged the need to compete with countries like China, Australia, and the United States, which have higher cotton yields. By implementing the HDPS and promoting best agricultural practices, Singh believes India can achieve yields of 1,500-1,800 kg of lint per hectare.