Southern India Mills’ Association lauds Centre’s policy boost for cotton sector

Coimbatore: The Southern India Mills' Association (SIMA) has welcomed the Union cabinet's approval for the Mission for Cotton Productivity (MCP). Announced under the National Mission for Cotton Productivity (Kapas Kranti) with a total outlay of Rs5,659.22 crore up to 2030-31, MCP would revive cotton output, improve fibre quality and strengthen India's textile competitiveness.In a press release, Durai Palanisamy, chairman, SIMA, expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Union agriculture and textiles ministers for approving the mission, describing it as a timely and visionary step for the cotton and textile sectors. He said the initiative would help enhance cotton productivity, improve farmers' income, ensure the availability of quality cotton to the textile industry and strengthen India's position in global textile markets. SIMA recalled that the earlier Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC), launched in 1999, had played a transformative role in India's cotton economy. During its implementation, cotton production rose from around 178 lakh bales to nearly 398 lakh bales by 2013-14, while the cultivated area grew from about 92 lakh hectares to 128 lakh hectares. India also accounted for nearly 36%-38% of global cotton acreage during that period. However, after the closure of TMC, cotton lost policy focus, leading to declining productivity and reduced production, which currently stands at around 292 lakh bales. SIMA noted that Bt cotton technology, which had significantly improved productivity, became obsolete after 2012, resulting in technology stagnation, rising pest incidence, and inadequate transfer of advanced farming practices to growers. According to SIMA, the new mission addresses these challenges through improved seeds, advanced cultivation practices, mechanization, pest management and focused research and development led by institutions like Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The mission is also expected to reduce India's dependence on imports of extra long staple cotton, especially at a time when domestic productivity remains lower than countries such as Brazil and China. Palanisamy said the mission would restore the strength of the Indian cotton sector and support the broader textile value chain. He noted that nearly 80% of India's textile exports are cotton-based and said assured availability of quality home-grown cotton, particularly ELS cotton, would provide a major boost to value-added textile exports and help India move towards its $350 billion textile economy target by 2030.