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The Rupee opened 3 paise lower at 96.38 against the USD.On Tuesday, the Indian Rupee opened 3 paise lower against the Dollar at 96.38, whereas it had closed at 96.35 on Monday.Read More:-   Impact of US-Iran Tensions: Synthetic Yarn Prices in India Rise 45%, Cotton Jumps 20% 

Synthetic yarn surges 45%, cotton up 20% as US-Iran conflict reshapes India’s knitwear sectorThe ongoing US-Iran conflict is driving up crude oil-linked costs across global supply chains, putting greater pressure on polyester and man-made fibre (MMF) apparel manufacturers than on traditional cotton-based players, according to TechnoSport CEO Pushpen Maity.Speaking during a visit to the company’s Tiruppur manufacturing facilities, Maity said MMF products are facing sharper cost escalation because synthetic fibres are heavily dependent on petrochemicals. He added that rising yarn prices, along with higher freight and transportation expenses, are impacting the entire upstream supply chain.The development is particularly significant for Tiruppur, India’s knitwear hub, where many manufacturers have increasingly shifted toward polyester-based activewear, performance wear and other synthetic garments in recent years.TechnoSport founder Sunil Jhunjhunwala revealed that synthetic yarn prices have jumped 40–45% in recent months, while cotton yarn prices have increased by around 20%, highlighting the stronger impact of geopolitical tensions on petrochemical-based products.Despite mounting input costs, the company said it has not revised its expansion plans or growth targets. TechnoSport, which posted revenue of nearly Rs 600 crore in FY26 compared with around Rs 400 crore in FY25, continues to target Rs 1,000 crore revenue by FY27.The company also stated that it does not intend to pass the higher costs on to consumers. Maity said TechnoSport remains committed to being an affordable brand and aims to absorb part of the volatility internally to protect consumer demand.He added that the company remains focused on innovation and long-term product development, even amid short-term raw material price fluctuations.The remarks come as manufacturers across Tiruppur continue to battle rising yarn, freight, packaging and labour costs triggered by crude oil volatility and the broader impact of the US-Iran conflict.Read More :-   The rupee closed 18 paise lower against the dollar at 96.35

On Monday, the Indian rupee closed 18 paise lower at 96.35 per dollar, having opened at 96.17 in the morning.At market close, the Sensex ended 77.05 points, or 0.10 percent, higher at 75,315.04, while the Nifty rose 6.45 points, or 0.03 percent, to reach 23,649.95.Read More :- Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam Seeks Rethink on Cotton Import Duty Policy

Tamil nadu : Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam urges government to reconsider stand on import duty on cotton.Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam on Saturday highlighted the hazards that may follow the removal of import duty on cotton by the Centre.In a petition to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, State organising secretary of the association S. Ranganathan said increase in cotton price was a temporary phenomenon around the world. The premise that the removal of import duty would benefit Indian textile industry was flawed, Mr. Ranganathan explained, submitting data on cotton production.While cotton production flourished over the past six decades, there was difficulty in determining market requirement, leading to the country importing cotton.It will be in the interests of the State and the rest of the country to give effect to tripartite contract farming, involving the government, industry and farmers.Moreover, India has failed to take advantage of the currency exchange rates to become globally competitive over the past five years, Mr. Ranganathan pointed out.The government should introduce measures to reduce input costs in cotton cultivation in long-term interests of the farmers, and the textile industry that provides substantial employment, Mr. Ranganathan emphasised.READ MORE :- Farmers are turning to sugarcane cultivation due to poor returns from cotton and maize.

Farmers Shift to Sugarcane as Cotton, Maize Profits DeclineFarmers are shifting away from crops like cotton and maize and cultivating sugarcane because traditional crops are yielding lower returns than expected.Over the past few years, the cost of cultivating cotton and maize has steadily increased due to high prices for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and labor. Pudhari explained that poor weather has further eroded agricultural income, making it difficult for many farmers to recover their costs.With the low market prices for these crops, farmers are now choosing sugarcane as an alternative, as it offers relatively stable returns and has a steady demand from sugar mills.Currently, sugarcane is being cultivated on approximately 25 acres in the village. Farmers said that the cost of cultivation is approximately ₹50,000 per acre, while sugarcane plants currently cost around ₹5,000 per ton.Despite the higher initial investment, farmers expect better yields and stable incomes in the coming season. The presence of sugar factories and a fairly secure market have encouraged them to make this change.To combat water scarcity, many farmers in the area are adopting drip irrigation techniques. This method not only helps conserve water but also improves fertilizer management, leading to higher productivity with fewer resources.Progressive farmers in the area have also begun experimenting with modern farming methods and technology to improve efficiency and output. They believe that with proper planning, timely irrigation, and the use of balanced nutrients, sugarcane can prove to be a profitable crop.However, this change also raises a major concern. Farmers reported that the lack of fair prices for crops like cotton and maize is forcing them to find alternative options. He urged the government to take concrete steps to provide better price support and relief to farmers of traditional crops.The changing cropping patterns in Kannada highlight the growing challenges in agriculture and the need for policies that ensure stable income for farmers.READ MORE :-The rupee opened 20 paise lower at 96.17 against the dollar. 

The rupee fell by 20 paise to open at 96.17 USD.On Monday, the Indian rupee opened 20 paise lower at 96.17 against the dollar, while it had closed at 95.97 on Friday.Read more :- Demand to Remove Cotton Import Duty Intensifies

Big Relief for Farmers: Cabinet Hikes Cotton & Soyabean MSP for Kharif 2026-27The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved revised Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Kharif crops for the 2026-27 marketing season, with major gains announced for cotton and soyabean growers.Cotton registered one of the highest MSP hikes this year. The MSP for Medium Staple Cotton has been increased by ₹557 per quintal to ₹8,267 from ₹7,710 in 2025-26. The MSP for Long Staple Cotton has also been raised by ₹557 to ₹8,667 per quintal from ₹8,110 last year. Compared to 2013-14 levels, MSP for Medium Staple Cotton has increased by ₹4,567 or 123%, while Long Staple Cotton MSP has gone up by ₹4,667 or 117%.The estimated cost of production for Medium Staple Cotton for 2026-27 has been fixed at ₹5,511 per quintal, ensuring farmers a 50% margin over production cost.For Yellow Soyabean, the MSP has been increased to ₹5,708 per quintal for 2026-27, up by ₹380 from ₹5,328 lread more :- Demand to Remove Cotton Import Duty Intensifies

Calls to Remove Cotton Import Duty Intensify; Textile Ministry Conducting StudyCoimbatore/New Delhi: The country's textile and apparel industry has intensified pressure on the Central Government to remove the 11% import duty currently levied on raw cotton. Industry associations argue that the limited availability of cotton in the domestic market, coupled with rising prices, is placing increasing cost pressure on spinning mills and downstream textile companies. Consequently, the removal of import duties has become imperative for the industry.During a recent meeting of the Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption held in Mumbai, representatives of the consumer industry raised this issue prominently. Following this, the Office of the Textile Commissioner submitted a recommendation to the Union Ministry of Textiles proposing that the import duty on cotton be temporarily suspended annually between April and September for the next five years. Currently, this proposal is under the Ministry's consideration, and the government is conducting a study to assess its economic and trade-related implications.During a stakeholders' meeting held in Coimbatore, industry associations stated that the removal of the duty would provide Indian mills with the opportunity to compete on an equal footing with the global market. They believe that this would ensure the availability of high-quality raw material for the domestic industry at reasonable prices, thereby alleviating the pressure caused by the cotton shortage.According to industry associations, the textile industry's cotton requirement for the year 2025-26 is estimated to be approximately 337 lakh bales, while the projected availability stands at around 292.15 lakh bales. This could result in a shortfall of approximately 45 lakh bales. The associations assert that if imports are not facilitated in a timely manner, the entire cotton value chain—and by extension, the livelihoods of nearly 35 million people directly associated with it—could be adversely affected.Meanwhile, an industry delegation led by A. Sakthivel, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), met with Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan met with Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, and Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, reiterating the demand for the removal of duties. The Tamil Nadu government has also urged the Centre to abolish the import duty on cotton and establish CCI warehouses in the state.read more :- The rupee closed at 95.97 against the dollar, shedding 10 paise

On Friday, the Indian rupee closed 10 paise lower at 95.97 per dollar, having opened at 95.87 in the morning.Following a volatile session on Friday, Indian stock markets closed with losses. The Sensex ended down 160.73 points, or 0.21 percent, at 75,237.99, while the Nifty settled 46.10 points, or 0.19 percent, lower at 23,643.50.Read More :- How important is technology to the success of the Cotton Mission?

Can India's Cotton Mission Succeed Without New Technology?India's cotton sector once again stands at a crossroads of change. The Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC), launched in 2002, propelled the country's cotton production and exports to new heights through the adoption of novel technologies such as Bt cotton. Between 2002 and 2015, cotton productivity surged from approximately 300 kilograms of lint per hectare to over 500 kilograms. Consequently, India emerged as the world's largest producer and exporter of cotton.However, since 2015, the sector's momentum has slowed down due to a dearth of new technologies, rising costs, and challenges such as the pink bollworm infestation. Production declined from a record high of 390 lakh bales to approximately 290 lakh bales. This not only adversely affected farmers' incomes but also left the textile industry grappling with a shortage of raw materials.The government has now announced a ₹5,659 crore Cotton Productivity Mission (MCP), aiming to boost productivity from 440 kilograms to 755 kilograms per hectare by 2031. However, experts believe that achieving this target solely through conventional measures will be a formidable task.While the mission emphasizes High-Density Planting Systems (HDPS), superior seeds, and advanced farming techniques, the real challenge lies in the lack of new genetic technologies and mechanization. Farmers are increasingly demanding technologies such as herbicide-tolerant Bt cotton, yet regulatory approvals continue to face persistent delays.According to experts, India must embrace AI-based pest monitoring, IoT-enabled farming, regenerative agriculture, and novel genetic technologies. Without technological innovation, a substantial increase in cotton production does not appear feasible through policies and traditional methods alone. If India is to reclaim its strong foothold in the global cotton market, comprehensive reforms rooted in science and technology will be indispensable.

Indian Textile Industry Welcomes ₹5,659-Crore Mission on Cotton to Boost Productivity and Global CompetitivenessThe Indian textile industry has welcomed the Union government’s approval of a five-year Mission on Cotton, aimed at boosting cotton productivity with an outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore. Industry stakeholders believe the initiative will strengthen cotton farming, improve productivity, and enhance the global competitiveness of India’s textile and apparel sector.Confederation of Indian Textile Industry Chairman Ashwin Chandran said the Cabinet’s decision would provide a major impetus to the sector, especially at a time when India is looking to leverage opportunities arising from Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). He noted that the Mission would help address the long-standing imbalance in India’s cotton sector.Although India is among the world’s largest cotton producers, its productivity levels remain comparatively low, affecting the country’s export competitiveness. Chandran said a recent delegation from the textile and apparel industry met Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to highlight challenges across the cotton value chain and seek government intervention.Southern India Mills’ Association Chairman Durai Palanisamy recalled that the Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC), launched in 1999, had significantly transformed the sector. Cotton production increased from around 178 lakh bales to nearly 398 lakh bales by 2013-14, while the cultivation area expanded from 92 lakh hectares to 128 lakh hectares, accounting for nearly 36–38% of global cotton acreage.However, following the closure of the TMC, cotton gradually lost policy focus, leading to a decline in productivity and production in recent years, with current output estimated at around 292 lakh bales.Industry leaders expect the new Mission to ensure a steady supply of quality cotton to the textile sector and reduce dependence on imports of Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton. They pointed out that India’s cotton productivity, estimated at 450–500 kg lint per hectare, remains lower than that of countries such as Brazil and China.Meanwhile, the South India Hosiery Manufacturers Association has urged the Union government to withdraw import duty on cotton and take steps to stabilise yarn prices.