Cotton production in India

Cotton is one of India’s most important commercial crops and is often referred to as “White Gold” because of its significant contribution to agriculture, employment, exports and the textile industry.

India accounts for around 23% of global fibre production and the cotton sector directly supports the livelihoods of nearly 6 million cotton farmers. Another 40–50 million people are engaged in allied activities such as cotton processing, spinning, weaving, trade and textiles.

Cotton is also an important source of foreign exchange earnings through the export of fibre, yarn, fabrics and garments.

Historical Development

The modern cotton textile industry in India began developing during the 19th century, with the establishment of textile mills in Kolkata, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad subsequently came to be known as the “Manchester of India” because of its importance as a textile manufacturing centre.

Cotton Species in India

India is unique as it is the only country that cultivates all four recognized species of cotton:

• Gossypium arboreum – Asian cotton
• Gossypium herbaceum – Asian cotton
• Gossypium barbadense – Egyptian cotton
• Gossypium hirsutum – American Upland cotton

G. hirsutum accounts for nearly 90% of hybrid cotton production in India, and all Bt cotton hybrids currently cultivated in the country belong to this species.

Bt Cotton

Bt cotton is a genetically modified cotton variety that incorporates genes from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).

These genes provide resistance against bollworms, one of the major pests affecting cotton cultivation.

Commercially introduced in India in 2002, Bt cotton helped reduce bollworm infestation and the requirement for insecticide sprays. Higher yields and lower pest-control costs contributed to improved farm incomes after its adoption.

Geographical Distribution

Cotton cultivation in India is concentrated mainly in nine major States, which are broadly divided into three agro-ecological zones:

1. Northern Zone
2. Central Zone
3. Southern Zone

India has the largest cotton cultivation area in the world, with approximately 114.84 lakh hectares under cotton cultivation.

The country ranks second globally in cotton production and consumption.

Cotton Trade and Production

Cotton production and trade are commonly measured in bales.

• 1 cotton bale = 170 kg
• In 2024–25, India exported an estimated 18 lakh bales, equivalent to around 0.31 million metric tonnes.
• This represented approximately 3.37% of global cotton exports.

Government Initiatives

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) system provides an important price-support mechanism for cotton farmers.

The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has been designated by the Government to undertake MSP operations and cotton procurement when market prices fall below the MSP level.

A five-year Mission for Cotton Productivity was launched in 2025–26 to increase cotton productivity and strengthen the sector across the country.

The mission places special emphasis on Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, which commands higher value and is important for producing premium-quality textiles.

The programme will be supported by advanced breeding techniques and biotechnology tools.

Source: PIB

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