Shivraj Chouhan to chair high-level meeting on cotton crisis in Coimbatore
Chennai: In a significant move to tackle the ongoing crisis in cotton cultivation, Union Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will chair a high-level meeting in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on Friday.
The meeting will focus on strategies to increase cotton productivity, tackle virus infection and ensure availability of high-quality seeds to farmers.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said the meeting will bring together various stakeholders, including cotton farmers from cotton-producing states, scientists, agriculture ministers, senior government officials, cotton industry representatives and agricultural universities.
In a video message ahead of the meeting, Minister Chouhan said, "Cotton production in India is continuously declining, primarily due to the TSV virus affecting Bt cotton."
He stressed that the objective of the meeting is to have in-depth discussions on increasing productivity, reducing costs and developing high-quality, climate-resilient seed varieties.
"The objective of this meeting is to prepare a practical and sustainable roadmap for revival of cotton cultivation in the country," he said.
Chouhan reiterated the Centre's firm commitment to improve the welfare of farmers. "It is our firm resolve to increase cotton production and improve the livelihood of our cotton-growing brothers and sisters. The challenges before us can be overcome only through collective effort," he said.
To ensure wider participation and receive suggestions from the grassroots, the ministry has also launched a toll-free helpline - 1800 180 1551 - inviting cotton farmers across the country to share their suggestions, experiences and concerns.
The minister assured that all suggestions received through the helpline will be taken seriously and considered in policy formulation. The meeting will begin at 10 am on July 11 and is expected to see active participation of senior officials, top scientists and policy-makers, including the Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Making an impassioned appeal to the farming community, Chauhan said, "Together we will face this challenge and bring about a revival in cotton production in India. Your insights will help shape policies based on real-world challenges."
The meeting in Coimbatore is seen as a crucial step towards improving the condition of India's cotton sector and ensuring long-term sustainability for millions of farmers who depend on it.
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