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• The Union Cabinet launched the Cotton Productivity Mission to enhance cotton production, improve fibre quality, and strengthen India’s textile and agricultural value chains through modern farming practices.
• Cotton is one of India’s most important commercial crops and serves as the primary raw material for the textile industry, supporting yarn, fabric, and garment manufacturing.
• The mission focuses on increasing cotton productivity through improved seeds, scientific cultivation methods, advanced agronomic practices, and better farm-level management techniques.
• India is among the world’s largest cotton producers, with major cultivation concentrated in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Punjab.
• Cotton belongs to the genus Gossypium and is mainly grown in tropical and subtropical climates, particularly in black soil regions with warm weather conditions.
• The initiative aims to improve lint yield per hectare, which is the standard measure used to evaluate cotton productivity and overall cultivation efficiency.
• Cotton is generally cultivated as a kharif crop in both irrigated and rain-fed regions, making it important for millions of farmers and rural livelihoods across India.
• The mission is expected to strengthen India’s textile exports, improve farmer incomes, and support long-term sustainability in the cotton and textile sectors.