Known as ‘white gold’, Indian cotton is a major cash crop that supports 6 million farmers and 40–50 million people in downstream processing and trade. Among the world’s top three producers, processors, consumers, and exporters of the natural fibre, India stands at number two. Crucial to India’s textile sector, the cotton value chain contributes significantly to the GDP and rural livelihood.

Sadly, in the last four years, India has gradually lost its edge in the world market with a declining cultivated area (down 1.8 million hectares to 11.5 million ha in 2024-25); falling production (down 5.5 million bales to 29.7 million bales in 2024-25); low yields (440 kg/ha), and falling raw cotton exports. From the position of the world’s largest producer and exporter, the country has now become a net importer of cotton (4.1 million bales, up four times from four years ago). The writing was on the wall, but no policymaker noticed it.

Now, the Union Cabinet has approved the “Mission for Cotton Productivity” with a significant outlay of Rs 5,659.22 crore. Spanning a four-year period, 2026–27 to 2030–31, this mission aims to achieve self-sufficiency in cotton in the next five years and enhance India’s competitiveness in........

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