Cotton Mission 2031: An Initiative Towards a Self-Reliant India
By yash chouhan 2026-05-06 13:00:17
Cotton Productivity Mission: A Major Step Towards Self-Reliance and Global Competitiveness by 2031
Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has approved the "Cotton Productivity Mission" (2026–27 to 2030–31), for which a provision of ₹5,659.22 crore has been made. The objective of this mission is to enhance productivity and improve quality within the cotton sector, thereby making India more competitive in the global textile market.
This initiative aligns with the government's '5F' vision—Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, and Fashion to Foreign. Under the mission, high-yielding, climate-resilient, and pest-resistant seeds will be developed. Additionally, modern techniques such as the High-Density Planting System (HDPS), close spacing, and Integrated Cotton Management will be promoted, and the production of Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton will be encouraged.
To improve cotton quality, efforts will focus on farmer training, the modernization of ginning and processing units, and the strengthening of testing infrastructure in accordance with international standards. Through the "Kasturi Cotton Bharat" brand, the global identity, traceability, and credibility of Indian cotton will be enhanced.
Furthermore, transparent pricing and improved market access for farmers will be ensured through digital mandis (markets). The recycling of cotton waste and the principles of a circular economy will also be promoted. Concurrently, the fiber base will be expanded by incorporating alternative natural fibers such as flax, ramie, sisal, milkweed, bamboo, and banana.
This mission will be implemented jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Ministry of Textiles. It will involve the participation of the ICAR, CSIR, and various State Agricultural Universities. Initially, the focus will be on 140 districts across 14 states, and approximately 2,000 ginning units will be empowered. The mission aims to increase cotton productivity from 440 kilograms per hectare to 755 kilograms per hectare by 2031, and to raise total production to 498 lakh bales. This initiative is expected to benefit approximately 32 lakh farmers. It is regarded as a significant step towards making India self-reliant in the cotton sector.
