Tamil Nadu may get Rs 100 crore from the central government for cotton production
By yash chouhan 2025-09-29 11:58:39
Tamil Nadu may receive ₹100 crore from the central government to increase cotton productivity.
The central government's Cotton Productivity Mission could prove to be a game-changer for Tamil Nadu's textile industry. This initiative aims to double farmers' income and cotton production and modernize ginning units. Tamil Nadu is expected to receive approximately ₹100 crore out of the total allocation of ₹5,900 crore.
Industry experts say that if the plan is effectively implemented, Tamil Nadu's dependence on expensive cotton imports will decrease and the state will become more competitive in global markets.
According to K. Selvaraju, general secretary of the South India Mills Association, Tamil Nadu's textile mills require approximately 12 million bales of cotton annually, while the state produces only about 500,000 bales. He said that with the right interventions, production could reach 2.5 million bales. The goal should be to reach at least 1.5 million bales by 2030.
Selvaraju explained that a key focus of the mission is seed development and agricultural research. Currently, farmers plant 25,000 plants per hectare, but high-density planting technology can increase this number to 60,000. Pilot projects have also been conducted in some areas over the past two years.
Currently, Tamil Nadu cultivates approximately 1.75 lakh hectares of cotton, which could be increased to 2 lakh hectares under the mission. The state is one of the few regions where cotton is cultivated in both winter and summer seasons, increasing the potential for extra-long staple cotton.
He also stated that labor shortages are a major challenge in cotton cultivation, making mechanization crucial.
Another important aspect of the mission is the modernization of ginning machinery. Ginning technology in Tamil Nadu is outdated, and upgrading it will improve both cotton quality and efficiency. (Sampurna Agro)
Indian Cotton Federation President J. Thulaseedharan said that research has been receiving very little funding for a long time. He said that significant improvements in Tamil Nadu's productivity are possible if soil- and climate-specific seed varieties, precision farming techniques, and research institutions like the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) in Coimbatore are developed and supported.
He also said that as productivity increases, production costs will decrease, MSP pressure will ease, and Indian cotton will become more competitive globally.
Currently, cotton is cultivated in the state in areas such as Kumbakonam, Perambalur, Manapparai, Ottanchatram, Vasudevanallur, and Kovilpatti.
