Strengthening Cotton Cultivation in India
Kapas Kranti Mission Boosts Cotton Productivity in India: The Government of India has launched the ₹600 crore Kapas Kranti Mission to revolutionize cotton farming and enhance long-staple cotton yield across major producing states. Announced in Hyderabad by Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, the initiative focuses on scientific farming methods, technology adoption, and farmer empowerment to make India self-reliant in cotton production.
Static GK fact: India is the world’s largest cotton producer, contributing over 23% of global production.
Objectives of the Mission
The Kapas Kranti Mission aims to promote High-Density Plantation (HDP) techniques that increase cotton yield per hectare. It emphasizes:
- Promoting scientific cultivation and efficient water use
- Introducing technology-driven platforms for cotton sale and procurement
- Strengthening farmer training and exposure programs
- Ensuring higher income stability for cotton growers through fair market systems
The initiative directly supports India’s “Atmanirbhar Krishi Vision” by reducing dependence on imported long-staple cotton.
Learning from Maharashtra’s HDP Model
The Maharashtra Akola region serves as the benchmark for HDP success. Farmers in this region have achieved substantial yield gains using closer plant spacing, specialized seed varieties, and modern agronomy. The Kapas Kranti Mission replicates this success in Telangana, where over 24 lakh farmers are engaged in cotton cultivation.
Exposure visits to Akola will allow Telangana farmers to study HDP methods first-hand. These trips will be followed by seed distribution drives and hands-on training workshops.
Static GK Tip: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) developed the HDP technique to optimize land productivity and fiber quality.
Modernizing Procurement through Technology
The Mission also focuses on digital transformation in cotton marketing. The soon-to-be-launched Kapas Kisan App will streamline sales, enabling farmers to:
- Book slots for selling produce
- Avoid long queues
- Eliminate intermediaries
- Ensure transparent pricing
To support this system, 122 procurement centres and 345 ginning centres will be operational after Diwali in Telangana. Committees comprising district collectors, police, and farmer representatives will ensure fair trade practices.
Financial Support and Cotton Procurement Growth
Government data shows remarkable growth in cotton procurement:
- 2004–2014: 173 lakh bales worth ₹24,825 crore
- 2014–2024: 473 lakh bales worth ₹1.37 lakh crore
In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, procurement expenditure exceeded ₹65,000 crore, with ₹58,000 crore in Telangana alone. Additionally, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton has doubled in the past decade, ensuring better returns for cultivators.
Static GK fact: The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), established in 1970, operates under the Ministry of Textiles to safeguard farmer interests through MSP procurement.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Kapas Kranti Mission Boosts Cotton Productivity in India:
| Topic | Detail |
| Mission Name | Kapas Kranti Mission |
| Total Outlay | ₹600 crore |
| Launch Location | Hyderabad |
| Key Focus | High-Density Plantation (HDP) and digital procurement |
| Mobile Application | Kapas Kisan App |
| Procurement Centres | 122 centres after Diwali |
| Ginning Centres | 345 in Telangana |
| Major Implementing Body | Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) |
| States Benefited | Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh |
| Minister Involved | G. Kishan Reddy |
