Cotton Production Crisis in India 

Why in News? 

Recently, a study reported a significant decline in cotton production in India. Rising production costs, climate change, and lack of innovation have worsened the situation. This is affecting farmers’ income and pushing the cotton economy of the country into crisis.

Current Status of Cotton Production in India

• Global Scenario: India is still the second-largest cotton producer in the world. India contributes around 24% to total global cotton production.
• Productivity: India has the largest area under cotton cultivation globally (about 33% of global area), yet the productivity is only 517 kg/hectare, which is much lower than the global average.
  • About 65% of India’s cotton is grown in dryland areas, while only 35% of the area is irrigated.
  • India’s cotton production has declined from 39.8 million bales in 2013–14 to 29.5 million bales in 2024–25.
  • India’s textile and apparel sector contributes nearly 33% to the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The total income of this sector is around 12 billion USD, in which cotton-based exports contribute up to 65%.
• Major Producing States: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan are leading cotton-producing states.
  • Nearly 60 million people are directly or indirectly associated with the cotton sector. This sector is fundamental to textiles, handlooms, and exports.
• According to IBEF, India’s cotton production may reach 7.2 million tonnes by 2030, which requires a combination of policies and innovation.

Major Reasons Behind Decline in Cotton Production in India

• Pest Resistance Crisis: Earlier, Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton played a revolutionary role in controlling Pink Bollworm (PBW) infestation, but over time this pest has developed resistance to Bt proteins. Now it begins damaging crops within 40–45 days of sowing, affecting bolls and flowers.
• Obstruction in Technological Innovation: No new GM (genetically modified) cotton variety has been approved in India since 2006. Indigenous institutions have developed PBW- and whitefly-resistant varieties, but they are still stuck in policy uncertainty.
• Inconsistent Government Support: Cotton farmers do not receive government benefits like price support and seed subsidies on time. In 2023, cotton sold at ₹5,500 per quintal, while the minimum support price (MSP) was ₹6,700–7,000. 
  • The 33% subsidy on Bt seeds announced by the state government remained pending till May 2024 due to the model code of conduct during elections, causing farmers to miss out.
• Climate Change: Cotton is a climate-sensitive crop, and climate change has disrupted its cycle. Irregular rainfall, sudden droughts, or hailstorms have hindered crop growth.
• Water Resource Scarcity: Cotton requires a large amount of water, but the spread of modern water-saving technologies like drip or sprinkler irrigation is limited. This reduces production and increases farmers’ dependence on water. Amid rising water stress, the challenge is intensifying.
• Lagging Productivity: Cotton yield in India has fallen to around 450 kg/hectare, whereas countries like China produce over 1,900 kg/hectare. This shows that merely increasing the area is not sufficient.
• Dependence on Imports: India, which once led in global cotton exports, is now facing a trade deficit. In 2024–25, cotton imports reached 1.04 billion USD, while exports fell to just 660.5 million USD.
  • Due to rising imports, the domestic textile industry has to buy raw material at higher rates, increasing production costs.

Impact of PBW Infestation and Bt Technology on Cotton Production

• PBW Infestation: The Pink Bollworm (PBW) has become the biggest biological threat to cotton production. This pest enters the bolls and feeds on seeds and fibers from inside, severely affecting not just the yield but also lint quality. It causes damage silently, with symptoms appearing only after harm is done. Continuous monocropping of cotton has led to the permanent settlement of this pest in fields, and now it completes multiple generations within a single season. This makes timely pest control almost impossible for farmers.
• Bt Technology: Bt cotton contains Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab genes, which produce specific proteins toxic to pests like the American and spotted bollworms. Scientific studies show that nearly a decade after Bt cotton was introduced in India, PBW developed full resistance to these toxins. This limited the usefulness of Bt technology and forced farmers to again rely heavily on pesticides, raising production costs and increasing environmental risks.
  • By 2014, according to the scientific journal ‘Nature,’ PBW had developed resistance to both Bt proteins.

Innovation-Based Initiatives by Seed Companies for the Revival of Cotton Sector in India

• Leading seed companies in India are now moving towards genomic innovations beyond traditional Bt technology, which may prove more effective against Pink Bollworm (PBW).
• Bioseed Research India, based in Hyderabad, has developed a transgenic technology called “BioCotX24A1” by including a new gene named “Cry8Ea1.”
• Rasi Seeds Private Limited of Tamil Nadu has also developed a synthetic gene named “Cry1C” for PBW-resistant GM cotton.
• Ankur Seeds of Nagpur has signed an agreement with the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, to develop GM cotton hybrids based on chimeric Bt genes.

Government Initiatives for the Revival of Cotton Sector in India

• Inclusion of Cotton Development under National Food Security Mission: Under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), launched by the Government of India in 2014–15, cotton has been given special focus. In 15 major cotton-producing states, this programme focuses on strategies such as distribution of improved seeds, integrated pest management, and scientific training to increase production and productivity.
• Minimum Support Price: The 1.5 times MSP policy based on the (A2+FL) cost formula has provided relief to cotton farmers from price instability. It has ensured profitability of the crop.
• Cot-Ally Mobile App: The Cot-Ally app is a user-friendly digital tool that provides real-time information to cotton farmers. This app provides information such as MSP rate, nearest procurement centers, and weather alerts.
• ‘Cotton Productivity Mission’: The five-year ‘Cotton Productivity Mission’ announced by the Finance Minister for 2025–26 is the foundation for long-term transformation in the cotton sector. The mission aims to empower farmers through advanced scientific techniques, innovations, and quality-based production.

Necessary Measures to Enhance Cotton Production in India

• Density-Based Method: To sustainably revive cotton production in India, it is very important to move beyond traditional farming methods. The High-Density Planting System (HDPS) can significantly increase the number of plants per hectare.
• Digitization: If farmers receive real-time information about weather forecasts, pest outbreak alerts, and crop access to markets, they can make better decisions. Digital platforms like Cot-Ally can be made accessible in various regional languages and up to the village level for faster dissemination of information.
• Financial Incentives: In addition to traditional subsidies, options such as crop-specific direct cash transfers, bonuses to those adopting best farming practices, and discounts on insurance premiums can make cotton farming attractive again. This will encourage farmers to take risks and invest in quality improvement.
• Global Assurance: Linking Indian brands like “Kasturi Cotton” with QR code-based traceability is not only a way to ensure quality but also a powerful tool of origin-based branding. This will build trust among international buyers in the uniqueness and transparency of Indian cotton.
• Integrated Pest Management: To reduce the losses caused by pests like PBW in cotton production, it is essential to adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. This includes use of biological control agents, pheromone traps, crop rotation with alternative crops, and balanced use of chemical pesticides at the right time.

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