India's Cotton Sector: Growth, Initiatives, and Global Position

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The Press Information Bureau recently released a detailed feature story titled **White Gold: India’s Cotton Story - From Seed to Shirt**.
This feature highlights the essential role of cotton in strengthening India's farming, textile manufacturing, and export capabilities.
It showcases India's shift from conventional farming methods toward a modern, technology-driven cotton economy under **Atmanirbhar Bharat**.

Cotton accounts for nearly **23%** of global fibre production, making India a major world producer.
The sector directly supports around **6 million farmers** across the country.
It offers employment opportunities to nearly **40 to 50 million people** in textile mills, processing units, transport, and trade.
Because of its massive contribution to foreign exchange earnings, cotton is widely known as **White Gold**.
India is uniquely positioned as the only nation that grows all **four species** of cultivated cotton.
Strategic government measures like **MSP operations**, the **Mission for Cotton Productivity**, and **Kasturi Cotton Bharat** are actively boosting sector growth.

India has thousands of years of rich heritage in cotton farming and cloth weaving.
In ancient times, Indian cotton fabrics were exported across Europe and Asia, often functioning as a trade currency.
The modern cotton industry began taking root in the 19th century with textile mills in **Kolkata**, **Mumbai**, and **Ahmedabad**.
Rapid growth in **Ahmedabad** earned it the title of **Manchester of India**.
During the **Swadeshi Movement**, indigenous cotton mills helped cut reliance on imported British cloth.
World War supply demands further expanded Indian mills, creating a solid base for **Atmanirbhar Bharat**.

India grows all four species: **G. arboreum**, **G. herbaceum**, **G. barbadense**, and **G. hirsutum**.
The species **G. hirsutum** accounts for almost **90%** of India's hybrid cotton production.
All **Bt cotton** varieties grown in India belong to the **G. hirsutum** species.
Introduced in **2002**, **Bt cotton** uses genes from the soil bacterium **Bacillus thuringiensis** to resist harmful bollworms.
The adoption of **Bt cotton** reduced pesticide costs, increased crop yields, and helped improve farm incomes.
Cotton is graded by staple length, ranging from short staple under **20 mm** up to extra-long staple at **32.5 mm and above**.
Production is spread across **nine major states** split into Northern, Central, and Southern growing zones, along with **Odisha** and **Tamil Nadu**.

India has the world's largest cotton cultivation area at **114.84 lakh hectares**, representing **38%** of the global area.
Approximately **62%** of India's cotton land depends entirely on rain, while only **38%** is irrigated.
Globally, India ranks **second** in both total cotton production and domestic consumption.
In **2024-25**, output reached **297.24 lakh bales** (or **5.06 million tonnes**), where one bale equals **170 kg**.
Provisional production for **2025-26** stands at **290.91 lakh bales** (or **4.95 million tonnes**).
Domestic consumption reached **328 lakh bales** (or **5.58 million tonnes**), proving the robust strength of India's textile mills.

During **2024-25**, India exported **18 lakh bales** (or **0.31 million metric tonnes**) of cotton.
This export quantity accounted for **3.37%** of total global cotton exports.
India's total cotton export earnings reached **US$ 11.49 billion** in **FY25**.
The **United States** emerged as the largest buyer of Indian cotton fabrics, capturing **26.35%** of exports.
Other prominent destinations include **Bangladesh** at **19.81%**, **Sri Lanka** at **5.11%**, the **United Kingdom** at **2.38%**, and the **UAE** at **2.32%**.

The **CACP** recommends Minimum Support Prices for medium and long staple cotton, guaranteeing farmers a **50% return** over cost.
The **Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)** operates as the nodal agency to purchase cotton whenever market prices drop below MSP.
Procurement infrastructure expanded to **571 centers** in **2025-26**, serving **152 districts** across **11 states**.
A 5-year **Mission for Cotton Productivity** was launched in **2025-26** with an outlay of **Rs 5,659.22 crore**.
This mission aims to raise total production to **498 lakh bales** by **2031**, directly benefitting **32 lakh farmers** in **140 districts**.
Built around the **5F vision** (Farm, Fibre, Factory, Fashion, Foreign), the mission focuses heavily on high-yielding **Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton**.
Under the **National Food Security Mission (NFSM)** since **2023-24**, high-density planting and closer spacing technologies were piloted across **8 states**.
The **Kapas Kisan App** provides digital slot booking, Aadhaar payments, and SMS updates to over **41 lakh registered farmers**.
The **Kasturi Cotton Bharat** initiative, backed by **Rs 30 crore**, establishes global traceability, QR certification, and branding for Indian cotton.

Enhancing irrigation coverage across rain-fed belts will protect cotton yields from weather fluctuations.
Expanding high-density planting and promoting Extra-Long Staple varieties can satisfy foreign demand and raise export earnings.
Strengthening digital procurement and blockchain traceability will consolidate India's reputation for premium quality in global markets.