The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) has welcomed the Union Government’s approval of the ₹5,659.22 crore Mission for Cotton Productivity (MCP), stating that the initiative would boost cotton productivity and strengthen India’s textile sector.
Coimbatore: Welcoming the Union Cabinet’s approval of the Mission for Cotton Productivity (MCP), the Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) said the initiative would play a crucial role in revitalising India’s cotton economy, improving farmers’ income and strengthening the competitiveness of the country’s textile sector.
SIMA Chairman Durai Palanisamy said the Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC), launched in 1999, played a transformative role in strengthening India’s cotton economy and positioning the Indian textile industry as a globally competitive sector. During the TMC period, cotton production increased from around 178 lakh bales to nearly 398 lakh bales by 2013–14, while the area under cultivation expanded from about 92 lakh hectares to 128 lakh hectares, accounting for nearly 36–38% of global cotton acreage.
He noted that after the closure of TMC, cotton gradually lost policy focus, resulting in declining productivity and reduced production in recent years, currently estimated at around 292 lakh bales. The Bt cotton technology, which had significantly contributed to productivity growth, became obsolete after 2012, leading to technology stagnation, increased pest incidence and inadequate transfer of advanced technologies to farmers.
Recognising these challenges, the Union Ministry of Textiles constituted a Textile Advisory Group (TAG) on Cotton with industry representatives, which recommended several policy initiatives including the urgent need for a revised TMC 2.0. Based on these recommendations, the Union Government announced the Mission for Cotton Productivity (MCP) under the “Kapas Kranti” initiative in the Union Budget 2025–26.
Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Union Ministers for Agriculture and Textiles, Palanisamy said the Mission would enhance cotton productivity, improve farmers’ income and ensure the availability of quality cotton to the textile industry. He added that the initiative would improve fibre quality through better seeds, advanced farming practices, mechanisation, pest management and focused research and development initiatives led by institutions such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
He further said the Mission would help restore the competitiveness of India’s cotton sector and create a sustainable growth pathway for millions of cotton farmers and the entire textile value chain. Nearly 80% of India’s textile exports are cotton-based, highlighting the strategic importance of cotton to the national textile economy, he added.
Palanisamy also pointed out that global demand for Indian cotton yarn and fabrics is steadily improving, particularly from China, which has started building cotton yarn reserves. Despite geopolitical uncertainties and global trade challenges, the Indian textile industry has remained resilient and is working towards leveraging opportunities arising from recently concluded Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to expand market share and explore new export destinations.
He stated that assured availability of quality home-grown cotton, especially Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, would greatly benefit the textile industry, which currently depends on imports for manufacturing value-added export products.
SIMA Chairman Durai Palanisamy said the Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC), launched in 1999, played a transformative role in strengthening India’s cotton economy and positioning the Indian textile industry as a globally competitive sector. During the TMC period, cotton production increased from around 178 lakh bales to nearly 398 lakh bales by 2013–14, while the area under cultivation expanded from about 92 lakh hectares to 128 lakh hectares, accounting for nearly 36–38% of global cotton acreage.
He noted that after the closure of TMC, cotton gradually lost policy focus, resulting in declining productivity and reduced production in recent years, currently estimated at around 292 lakh bales. The Bt cotton technology, which had significantly contributed to productivity growth, became obsolete after 2012, leading to technology stagnation, increased pest incidence and inadequate transfer of advanced technologies to farmers.
Recognising these challenges, the Union Ministry of Textiles constituted a Textile Advisory Group (TAG) on Cotton with industry representatives, which recommended several policy initiatives including the urgent need for a revised TMC 2.0. Based on these recommendations, the Union Government announced the Mission for Cotton Productivity (MCP) under the “Kapas Kranti” initiative in the Union Budget 2025–26.
Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Union Ministers for Agriculture and Textiles, Palanisamy said the Mission would enhance cotton productivity, improve farmers’ income and ensure the availability of quality cotton to the textile industry. He added that the initiative would improve fibre quality through better seeds, advanced farming practices, mechanisation, pest management and focused research and development initiatives led by institutions such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
He further said the Mission would help restore the competitiveness of India’s cotton sector and create a sustainable growth pathway for millions of cotton farmers and the entire textile value chain. Nearly 80% of India’s textile exports are cotton-based, highlighting the strategic importance of cotton to the national textile economy, he added.
Palanisamy also pointed out that global demand for Indian cotton yarn and fabrics is steadily improving, particularly from China, which has started building cotton yarn reserves. Despite geopolitical uncertainties and global trade challenges, the Indian textile industry has remained resilient and is working towards leveraging opportunities arising from recently concluded Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to expand market share and explore new export destinations.
He stated that assured availability of quality home-grown cotton, especially Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, would greatly benefit the textile industry, which currently depends on imports for manufacturing value-added export products.