A combination of factors, including a reduction in the area under cotton cultivation, adverse climatic conditions such as uneven rainfall and extreme temperatures in predominantly rainfed regions, the negative impact of monocropping on soil health, a shift by farmers to more remunerative crops, and the resurgence of major pests like pink bollworm and whitefly, along with increased incidence of diseases such as cotton leaf curl virus, boll rot, Tobacco Streak Virus, and other emerging secondary pests have affected cotton production and yield in recent years.

To enhance cotton productivity and quality, promote innovation and strengthen the entire textile value chain, a five-year ‘Mission for Cotton Productivity’ has been announced in the Union Budget 2025–26. 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.

Further, 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 FY 2023-24 and FY 2045-25 to enhance productivity of cotton and production of ELS cotton. The Special Project was further extended during FY 2025-26.

Under the ‘Mission for Cotton Productivity’, districts have been identified for productivity enhancement based on their low cotton productivity and area coverage. The Mission targets these districts for upscaling of region-specific technologies and best practices. State-wise details of selected districts are annexed below.

ICAR–CICR has identified high-productivity cotton-growing districts across the major cotton-producing States based on area coverage. The State-wise details are annexed below.

(i) Large area – Low productivity (37 districts):

 

State	District
Haryana	Bhiwani
Madhya Pradesh	Barwani, Burhanpur, Khargone
Gujarat	Ahmadabad, Botad
Maharashtra	Akola, Amravati, Aurangabad, Beed, Buldhana, Chandrapur, Dhule, Jalgaon, Jalna, Nanded, Nandurbar, Parbhani, Wardha, Yavatmal
Telangana	Jangoan, Jogulamba, Khammam, Yadadri, Mahabubabad, Mahbubnagar, Mancherial, Medak, Nagarkarnool, Nalgonda, Vikarabad, Narayanapet, Rangareddi, Warangal Urban
Andhra Pradesh	Kurnool
Karnataka	Raichur

 

(ii) Less area – low productivity (40 districts):

 

State	District
Haryana	Charki Dadri, Rewari
Rajasthan	Bikaner, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Nagaur
Madhya Pradesh	Alirajpur, Chhindwara, Dhar, Jhabua, Ratlam Khandwa
Gujarat	Junagadh, Porbandar, Patan
Maharashtra	Ahmednagar, Nashik, Gadchiroli, Hingoli, Latur, Osmanabad
Telangana	Mulugu, Wanaparthy
Andhra Pradesh	Anantapur, Kadapa, Prakasam, Vizianagaram
Karnataka	Belgaum, Bijapur, Chamarajanagar, Chitradurga, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Koppal, Mysuru
Tamil Nadu	Ariyalur, Perambalur, Salem, Tiruchirappalli

(i) Large Area – High Productivity (25 districts; Benchmark yield: 586 kg lint/ha):

State	District
Punjab	Fazilka
Haryana	Hisar, Sirsa
Gujarat	Amreli, Bharuch, Gir Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Chhotaudepur, Somnath, Narmada, Surendra Nagar, Vadodara, Rajkot
Maharashtra	Nagpur
Telangana	Adilabad, Bhadradri, Jayashankar, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Nirmal, Rajanna, Sangareddy, Siddipet, Warangal
Andhra Pradesh	Guntur
Karnataka	Yadagir

 

(ii) Less Area – High Productivity (41 districts; Benchmark yield: 576 kg lint/ha):

State	District
Punjab	Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar
Haryana	Fatehabad, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Mahendragarh, Mewat, Palwal
Rajasthan	Ajmer, Alwar, Pali, Banswara, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Ganganagar, Jodhpur Hanumangarh
Gujarat	Aravalli, Banas, Tapi Kantha, Devbhumi Dwarka, Gandhinagar, Kachchh, Kheda, Mahesana, Mahisagar, Morbi, Panch Mahals, Sabar Kantha
Maharashtra	Washim
Telangana	Jagitial, Kamareddy, Karimnagar, Suryapet, Peddapalli
Andhra Pradesh	East Godavari, Krishna
Karnataka	Bellary, Gulbarga

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.   

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MAM

(Lok Sabha US Q1418)

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2200815) आगंतुक पटल : 620