Source: PIB
Context
The PIB published the feature article “White Gold: India’s Cotton Story – From Seed to Shirt”, highlighting India’s cotton sector, recent policy initiatives, and its role in agriculture, textiles and exports. It showcases India’s journey from traditional cultivation to a modern, technology-driven, value-added cotton ecosystem under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
About the Feature
What It Is
- A PIB feature underlining cotton’s importance to India’s agricultural, industrial and export economy, and the government’s push on productivity, quality and global competitiveness.
- Cotton is termed “White Gold” for its economic value.
Key Characteristics
1. Global Cotton Leader
- India is the only country cultivating all four recognised cotton species.
- Rank 1 in cultivated area (114.84 lakh ha ≈ 38% of the global 304.08 lakh ha); Rank 2 in production and consumption.
- Contributes roughly 19–23% of global fibre production.
2. Economic Backbone
- Supports nearly 6 million cotton farmers; employs 40–50 million across the textile value chain.
- 62% of cultivation is rain-fed, 38% irrigated.
3. Policy-Driven Growth
- Backed by MSP procurement, Mission for Cotton Productivity, Kapas Kisan App, and Kasturi Cotton Bharat.
4. Technology & Quality Focus
- Promotes High-Density Planting System (HDPS), digital procurement, blockchain-based traceability, and climate-resilient varieties.
Geographical Spread (3 Zones, 9 States)
- Northern: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan
- Central: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh (largest producing zone)
- Southern: Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka
- Also grown in Odisha and Tamil Nadu.
Major Initiatives
MSP Operations
- MSP recommended by CACP before each cotton year (Oct–Sept), for Medium and Long Staple seed cotton (kapas); targets ≥50% return over cost.
Mission for Cotton Productivity
- Aligned with the ‘5F’ vision — Farm → Fibre → Factory → Fashion → Foreign.
- Implemented jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Textiles, with 10 ICAR institutes.
Kapas Kisan App
- Digitised MSP procurement — self-registration, four-week rolling slot booking, Aadhaar-linked payments, real-time SMS updates; 41 lakh+ farmers registered.
Kasturi Cotton Bharat
- Branding/traceability initiative; outlay ₹30 crore (₹15 cr industry + ₹15 cr Ministry of Textiles); partners Ministry of Textiles, CCI, TEXPROCIL.
