The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, July 7, 2026: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday reviewed the progress of the Centre’s Mission for Cotton Productivity (Kapas Kanti) and stressed the need to accelerate technological innovation and significantly improve cotton yields to strengthen India’s position in the global textile and agriculture sectors.
The review meeting, held at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, was attended by Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with senior officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Textiles, who presented the Mission’s roadmap and key implementation strategies.
Officials informed the Vice President that the initiative seeks to transform India’s cotton value chain by combining scientific research, advanced farming techniques and modern technologies to improve productivity while ensuring long-term sustainability. The Mission also focuses on delivering better-quality cotton to the textile industry through improved quality assurance systems and digital support for farmers.
Among the major initiatives highlighted were the KASTURI Cotton certification programme, aimed at enhancing the quality and traceability of Indian cotton, and the Kisan Kapas App, designed to provide farmers with timely information, market support and improved access to services. The Mission also promotes the development of next-generation natural fibres to encourage innovation and sustainable growth in the textile sector.
During the discussion, the Vice President emphasised that new technologies and research outcomes should be approved and adopted without unnecessary delays. He said faster implementation would enable farmers to benefit from scientific advancements while improving overall agricultural productivity.
He also called for clearly defined performance benchmarks to raise cotton output per acre, noting that India should work towards matching productivity levels achieved by leading cotton-producing nations. According to him, increasing farm efficiency will be critical to strengthening the country’s competitiveness in international markets.
The Vice President further stressed the importance of preparing the cotton sector to meet rising domestic and global demand for high-quality fibre. He advocated wider public outreach to create awareness about the Mission and suggested showcasing successful initiatives through television documentaries and other communication platforms to encourage greater participation among farmers and stakeholders.
The Centre views the Kapas Kanti Mission as a key step towards modernising India’s cotton ecosystem, improving farmer incomes and supporting the long-term growth of the country’s textile industry through innovation, sustainability and quality enhancement.
No Comments: