Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu: In a major push to strengthen India’s cotton sector, Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level meeting today at the ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, to deliberate on cotton productivity enhancement. The meeting, attended by Union Textiles Minister Shri Giriraj Singh, agriculture ministers from Haryana and Maharashtra, senior officials, scientists, Vice Chancellors of agricultural universities, and farmers, focused on identifying actionable solutions to revitalize cotton production in India.
Cotton: Essential to Life and the Nation’s Economy
In his opening remarks, Shri Chouhan invoked the deep cultural and economic significance of cotton. “After food, clothing is the most essential need in life,” he said, underlining the role of farmers as the lifeline of India’s agrarian economy. Referring to Tamil Nadu as a land with a 5,000-year-old civilizational heritage, he described the state as fertile ground for a new cotton revolution.
Shri Chouhan added,
“Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, and our farmers are its soul. In a Viksit Bharat, we should not be dependent on imported cotton. It is our collective responsibility to ensure India becomes self-sufficient in high-quality production.”
Addressing the Challenges
The Minister acknowledged the decline in cotton productivity due to rising pest infestations and the limitations of existing varieties. He stressed the urgent need to:
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Develop virus-resistant, high-yielding seed varieties
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Ensure timely delivery of improved seeds to farmers
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Employ modern agricultural technologies and R&D to maximize yield
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Maintain a farmer-industry policy balance in trade decisions
He emphasized that while the textile industry’s demand to remove import duties on foreign cotton aims to reduce raw material costs, it must not come at the expense of domestic farmers’ incomes. A balanced approach, he said, is crucial.
Collaborative Strategy
Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh and state agriculture ministers including Shri Shyam Singh Rana (Haryana) and Shri Manikrao Kokate (Maharashtra) echoed the need for coordinated policy measures. They emphasized that state-specific strategies, informed by scientific research and farmer feedback, will be key to unlocking cotton’s potential.
Shri Chouhan also highlighted that today’s meet is part of his broader ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, a national initiative to hold crop-wise and state-wise consultations for comprehensive agricultural development. The earlier meeting in Indore on soybean, and now in Coimbatore, reflects this consultative, inclusive approach.
Outcomes and Way Forward
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Cotton productivity enhancement identified as a national priority
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Ministries of Agriculture and Textiles to develop a joint action framework
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Emphasis on research-based seed development, timely dissemination, and field-level implementation
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Stakeholder feedback from farmers and universities to guide policy formulation
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Future meetings to focus on other key crops under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan
Conclusion:
The meeting in Coimbatore marked a pivotal moment in India’s journey toward becoming self-reliant in cotton production, aligning with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. With committed leadership, scientific innovation, and farmer-centric policies, India is poised to reclaim its legacy as a global cotton powerhouse.
As Shri Chouhan aptly noted,
“This is not just a goal, but a national mission. We must achieve it together.”
For more details, check press release on PIB website.
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