Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces a five-year mission to boost cotton farming productivity, promote extra-long staple (ELS) cotton varieties, and address challenges such as adoption reluctance and yield disparities.
Mission Objectives:
- Improvement in Productivity & Sustainability: The mission is designed to help cotton farmers boost yields while adopting more sustainable farming practices.
- Promotion of ELS Cotton Varieties: Extra-long staple (ELS) cotton varieties, known for their superior fibre length and quality, will be given a significant push. These varieties are ideal for high-end textiles due to their enhanced durability and finish.
Cotton Classification and Characteristics:
- Staple Categories: Cotton is categorized based on fibre length into long, medium, or short staples.
- Medium Staple Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum):
- Constitutes about 96% of India’s cotton production.
- Fibre length ranges between 25 to 28.6 mm.
- Extra-Long Staple (ELS) Cotton (Gossypium barbadense):
- Features fibre lengths of 30 mm and above.
- Known as Egyptian or Pima cotton, it is prized for producing the highest quality fabric.
- Though it originated in South America, today it is mainly cultivated in countries like China, Egypt, Australia, and Peru. In India, its cultivation is limited to certain regions in Maharashtra (Atpadi taluka in Sangli district) and Tamil Nadu (around Coimbatore).
Economic Context and Challenges:
- Minimum Support Prices (MSP):
- For the 2024-25 season, the MSP for medium staple cotton was set at Rs 7,121 per quintal, while that for long staple cotton was Rs 7,521 per quintal.
- Yield Considerations:
- Medium staple cotton yields range from 10 to 12 quintals per acre.
- ELS cotton, despite its superior fibre quality, typically yields only 7 to 8 quintals per acre.
- This lower yield is a significant factor in farmers’ reluctance to switch to ELS cotton, as it can impact overall profitability despite the potential for higher-quality produce.
Implications for the Cotton Sector:
- Quality vs. Quantity Trade-off: The mission recognizes the current hesitation among farmers to adopt ELS cotton primarily due to its lower yield per acre.
- Potential Interventions:
- Research into improving the yield of ELS cotton varieties.
- Enhanced support measures, including possible adjustments to MSP or other incentives to make ELS cotton cultivation more attractive.
- Global Competitiveness: By promoting ELS cotton, India could potentially tap into premium markets that demand higher quality textiles, aligning with international standards seen in countries like Egypt and China.
