India is set to weave a new chapter for its cotton industry with the launch of a five-year Cotton Technology Mission (CTM) from 2024. This ambitious initiative aims to revitalize the sector, aptly nicknamed the country's "white gold," and solidify India's position as a global leader in textile sourcing and investment. The mission sets its sights on a two-pronged approach: reducing dependence on cotton imports and boosting the incomes of over six million Indian cotton farmers.

Regaining Luster: The mission's objectives

The mission has a three-pronged approach:

• Self-sufficiency in cotton: By promoting better yields and improved quality, the initiative aims to reduce reliance on imported cotton. This will stabilize domestic prices and strengthen India's position as a leading textile producer.

• Boosting farmer incomes: Through improved practices and technology adoption, the mission seeks to empower cotton farmers and increase their profitability.

• Technological advancements: A core focus will be on introducing new technologies to address challenges like trash content, contamination, and enabling real-time cotton quality assessment.

Steps for success

To achieve these goals, the mission will focus on several key areas:

Tech-savvy farming: Introducing new technologies to minimize trash content, contamination in cotton, and enable real-time sample testing will be a major focus. The mission will emphasize adopting best agricultural practices, including proper water management, soil health improvement, and integrated pest management techniques.

Quality first: The mission will emphasize adopting best agricultural practices, including utilizing high-quality seeds and implementing high-density planting techniques using indigenous cotton varieties. Ensuring access to high-quality, indigenous cotton seeds will be crucial for improving yields and fiber quality. Implementing high-density planting schemes, potentially with domestically developed cotton varieties, is another key strategy.

Beyond Bt cotton: While Bt cotton revolutionized yields initially, the mission acknowledges the need to move beyond this technology. The focus will be on sustainable solutions that address rising input costs and potential crop failures.

Focus on sustainability: Sustainable practices like organic farming methods and responsible water usage are likely to be promoted within the mission's framework.

Expected impact

Reduced imports: By achieving self-sufficiency in cotton production, India can potentially save foreign exchange currently spent on imports.

Strengthened textile industry: A robust domestic cotton supply will empower the textile industry, potentially making India an even more attractive sourcing and investment destination.

Improved farmer livelihoods: Increased yields, better quality cotton, and potentially fairer market prices can significantly improve the economic well-being of cotton farming communities. Sustainable growth: A focus on sustainable practices can ensure long-term environmental health alongside economic benefits.

Indeed, the Cotton Technology Mission has the potential to be a game-changer for India's textile sector and the lives of millions of cotton farmers. The success of the mission will depend on effective implementation, ensuring farmers have access to the necessary resources and training to adopt new technologies and best practices.