Trends in the Growth and Development in the Cotton Sector

Abstract

Trends in Fibre Production and Trade The historical trend of India’s cotton production demonstrates remarkable growth, rising from approximately 33.4 lakh bales in 1950-51 to over 320 lakh bales in 2023-24. This increase is attributed to advancements in farming techniques, the adoption of hybrid seeds, and supportive government policies. The most significant growth occurred after the year 2000, following the introduction of Bt cotton. Similarly, productivity has also increased, surpassing 500 kg/ha in the last decade, with a decadal average of around 440 kg/ ha. However, production trends have fluctuated in the last decade, which can be attributed to climate change, pest resurgence in Bt hybrids, and the emergence of sucking pests. These trends highlight the need for new technological interventions, climateresilient cotton varieties, and improved agronomic practices to sustain high productivity. Increasing attention is being paid to the mechanization of cotton cultivation, including harvesting, to reduce dependence on human labour-which accounts for around 25% of cultivation costs-and to minimize contamination, which is crucial for the value chain industries.