To enhance cotton productivity and quality, promote innovation and strengthen the entire textile value chain in line with the Vision 2030, a five-year ‘Mission for Cotton Productivity’ was announced by Hon’ble Finance Minister in her budget speech 2025-26. The Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) is the nodal department for implementing the Mission, with the Ministry of Textiles as a partner. The Mission aims to boost cotton production through strategic interventions, including research and extension activities across all cotton-growing states. The Mission also proposes to focus on developing climate-smart, pest-resistant, and high-yielding cotton varieties, including Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, using advanced breeding and biotechnology tools.

A Special Project on Cotton titled ‘Targeting technologies to agro-ecological zones-large scale demonstration of best practices to enhance cotton productivity’ has been implemented by ICAR- Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur in 8 major cotton growing states under National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) during 2023-24, 2024-25 and is ongoing in 2025-26 to enhance productivity of cotton and production of ELS cotton. The total outlay of the Special Project is Rs. 6,032.35 lakhs.

The ‘Mission for Cotton Productivity’ aims to equip farmers with cutting-edge scientific and technological support, enabling higher productivity, superior fibre quality, and improved resilience against climatic and pest-related challenges. Aligned with the Government’s integrated 5F vision, Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign, the Mission is expected to boost cotton farmers’ incomes, ensure a steady supply of high-quality cotton, and revitalize India’s traditional textile sector, thereby enhancing its global competitiveness.

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER FOR TEXTILES SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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MAM/SMP

(Lok Sabha US Q308)