The decline in cotton production this year has alarmed its planners, forcing its Union Minister Piyush Goyal to admit that India needs quality seeds to increase its cotton productivity.
The cotton production in India declined from over 600000 tons in 2021-22 to around 5300000 tons in 2022-23. In an interactive meeting with the Textile Advisory Group (TAG) the minister stressed that the supply of good quality seeds is the need of the hour and requires some concrete action from related ministries on a war footing.
The minister urged the textile industry to self-regulate towards branding and certification of Indian cotton seed. He offered matching grants to the industry on any initiative taken in this regard. He said there is a dire need to introduce advanced technology that could facilitate the development of high-yielding cotton seeds. He said high-density planting technology could be one that could increase cotton productivity.
He also underscored the importance of the strengthening testing facility that is needed to conform to seed standards, DNA testing, and traceability. The Minister said that Goyal’s modern testing facilities would be established through the Bureau of Indian Standards and Textile Research Associations. He lauded the efforts and actions of the industry through its nominated body that has worked on the quality, traceability, and branding of Cotton seeds.
