Cotton has historically been one of the key agricultural commodities consistently supported and promoted by the Government over several decades. Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC), launched in 1999, had played a transformative role in strengthening India’s cotton economy and positioning the Indian textile industry as a globally competitive sector. During the TMC period, cotton production increased from around 178 lakh bales to nearly 398 lakh bales by 2013–14, while the area under cultivation expanded from about 92 lakh hectares to 128 lakh hectares, accounting for nearly 36–38% of global cotton acreage.
Subsequently, after the closure of TMC, cotton gradually lost policy focus, resulting in declining productivity and reduced production in recent years (currently 292 lakh bales), adversely impacting both cotton farmers and the textile manufacturing industry. The Bt cotton technology which was a key factor in increasing the productivity became obsolete after 2012, leading to technology stagnation, rising pest incidence and inadequate transfer of advanced technologies to farmers.
Recognising these challenges, the Union Ministry of Textiles constituted a Textile Advisory Group (TAG) on Cotton with industry representatives and recommended numerous policy initiatives including the urgent need for announcing TMC 2.0 in a revised format. Consequently, the government has announced MCP based on the recommendations made by the Cotton TAG.
In a press release issued today, Mr. Durai Palanisamy, Chairman of SIMA, expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Hon’ble Prime Minister & the Hon’ble Ministers of Agriculture and Textiles for the announcement of the National Mission for Cotton Productivity (“Kapas Kranti”) in the Union Budget 2025–26 and the Union Cabinet’s approval of the Mission for Cotton Productivity (MCP) with a total outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore up to 2030–31. The Mission is expected to significantly enhance cotton productivity, improve farmers income, ensure availability of quality cotton to the textile industry, enhance fibre quality through improved seeds, advanced farming practices, mechanisation, pest management, focused R&D initiatives led by institutions such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and strengthen India’s competitiveness in global textile markets.
The Mission is expected to reduce dependence on imports of Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, in a scenario where India’s cotton productivity remains lower (around 450–500 kg lint/ha) than countries such as Brazil and China, making the Mission a timely initiative for the long-term growth of the cotton and textile sectors.
Mr. Durai expressed confidence that the Mission would help in restoring the strength and competitiveness of the Indian cotton sector and create a sustainable growth pathway for millions of cotton farmers and the entire textile value chain. He pointed out that nearly 80% of India’s textile exports are cotton-based, underlining the strategic importance of cotton to the country’s textile economy.
He further noted that global demand for Indian cotton yarn and fabrics is steadily improving, particularly from China, which has started building cotton yarn reserves. Despite geopolitical uncertainties and global trade challenges, the Indian textile industry has remained resilient and is actively working towards leveraging opportunities arising from recently concluded FTAs to expand market share and explore new export destinations.
Mr. Durai also emphasised that assured availability of quality home-grown cotton, especially Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, would be a major boost to the textile industry, which is presently dependent on imports to manufacture value-added export products.
He stated that the approval of the Mission for Cotton Productivity is a timely and visionary initiative that would support the nation’s goal of achieving “Viksit Bharat 2047” and help realise the target of building a USD 350 billion Indian textile economy by 2030.
