India Budget 2025: Launch technology mission to boost cotton supply

08 Jan '25

3 min read

India Budget 2025: Launch technology mission to boost cotton supply

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Insights

India's cotton production has declined by 18 per cent over the past decade, jeopardising the government's $350 billion textile market target by 2030.
The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has urged the launch of Technology Mission on Cotton II (TMC II) in Budget 2025-26 to boost cotton yield and quality.
Focus areas include advanced seed technology, and clean cotton.

The Government of India has envisaged a target of achieving $350 billion textile market size including exports of $100 billion by 2030. In order to achieve the target, the country would need more cotton and other types of fibres. However, over the last decade, the country’s cotton production has declined by 18 per cent. In this scenario, the industry has urged the government to launch second version of Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC II) and announce it in the upcoming Union Budget for fiscal 2025-26. The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has proposed certain measures to be taken to increase domestic cotton production.

In its memorandum to the government, CITI has said that India would need to increase its cotton production base from the present level of 5.5 billion kg (32.3 million bales of 170 kg) to about 7.5 billion kg (44.1 million bales).

The first Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC I) announced by the government during 2000-01 played an instrumental role in increasing cotton cultivation. However, TMC I was closed a few years back citing that necessary benefits would be made available through different schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Moreover, after the expiry of BT hybrid cotton technology 12 years ago, no new technology has been developed. As a result, India’s cotton productivity is estimated to drop to 32.5 million bales in 2023-24 from the highest output of 39.8 million bales in 2013-14. Likewise, cotton yield is expected to drop to 436 kg lint per hectare from the highest yield of 566 kg lint per hectare. These figures may drop further in the absence of suitable policy intervention.

To meet the rising demand for cotton, CITI has urged the government to announce TMC II with a special focus on seed technology. Advanced seed technology is essential to produce cotton with high yield and fibre quality that meets international standards. Additionally, the new seed should be herbicide-tolerant, suitable for high-density planting, similar to ELS cotton, and resistant to drought and sucking pests. Furthermore, global best practices should be promoted for seed sowing, agronomy, harvesting, handling, ginning, and pressing.

A mission-mode approach is required, with a substantial budget allocation for seed and agronomy technology as well as technology transfer. The country also needs a mission-mode initiative for clean cotton with minimal trash, low short fibre content, and contamination-free production. Promoting the branding of Kasturi cotton should also be prioritised.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)

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