India's Cotton Production In A Stagnant Position: Report

Amid the fear of economic slowdown, cotton production in the Indian states is more or less in a stagnant position, according to the Handbook of Statistics on Indian States 2021-22 report released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The report stated that the cotton production in the Indian states is either declining or constant; the production in Andhra Pradesh declined from 2,508 thousand bales (bales of 170 kg each) to 1,600 thousand bales in FY20-21.

Gujarat which is renowned for its appropriate black soil for cotton production has declined from 8,617 thousand bales to 7,212.2 thousand bales. Maharashtra and Rajasthan are the two cotton-producing states that are witnessing uprising figures. 

According to the statistics provided by the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), India’s cotton export accounts for 10.2 per cent of the total global export. As per the estimates provided by Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption (COCPC), India’s total cotton exports are estimated to be 4 million bales in 2021-22.

The central government is aiming to bring the total export of the Indian textile industry to USD 100 billion by FY25-26, where cotton can contribute a huge portion of it with the help of modern technology, agricultural reforms of land, stabilisation of fertility of black soil, adoption of scientific practices etc. 

The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) at their second global cotton conference on 23 November 2022 deliberated on the theme of “Game-Changing Technologies & Traits for Achieving High Yields and Fine Quality of Cotton.” 

‘‘Cotton is a global commodity that is grown in over 75 countries and also holds a predominant position in the Indian Textile sector which has a presence in the entire textile value chain i.e. from farm to fashion," said T Rajkumar, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Textile Industry.

The leaders in the conference also discussed technology's role in escalating the efficiency of the cotton supply chain. 

While addressing the conference, Suresh Kotak, Chairman, Textile Advisory Group also known as the Cotton Man of India gave four mantras to induce cotton production in India ‘Sacch Kapas, Swach Kapas, Saksham Kapas, and Swasth Kapas’.

Kotak added, ‘‘This Chatushpadi Mahamantra will be an important contributor to achieving the desired goal of becoming an important supplier of textiles to the world.’’ 

Meanwhile, In FY20-21, the value of the exports amounted to USD 6.3 billion with 352.5 lakh bales of production.