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.
