COTTON CULTIVATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the government of India initiated a pilot project spanning 10 states, engaging 15,000 farmers to enhance the production of top-quality cotton through the adoption of global agricultural practices.

Key Points of Project

• About: The project, which has been launched by the Textile Ministry in coordination with the Agriculture Ministry, comes amid a slump in cotton production.
• The data will be evaluated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and then we will be able to realize the impact of these technologies.
• 10 cotton growing states where the pilot is going: Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
• Fixed MSP: The government has fixed the minimum support price (MSP) for medium staple cotton at ₹6,620/ quintal and for long staple cotton at ₹7020/quintal.

Cotton Production in India

• About: Cotton stands out as a pivotal commercial crop in India, contributing approximately 25% to the overall global cotton production.
• White-Gold of India: Due to its paramount economic role in India, cotton is often referred to as "White-Gold," emphasizing its economic significance and impact on the nation.
• Cotton Cultivation in India: Approximately 67% of the country's cotton is grown in rain-fed areas, while the remaining 33% is cultivated in irrigated areas.
• Major States: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.