India is reworking its cotton approach, putting more emphasis on raising farm productivity rather than focusing mainly on crop protection. The policy reset comes as the country faces weaker domestic cotton output and growing reliance on imports, making higher yields a bigger priority.
Official data cited in the report shows that cotton productivity has remained largely flat in recent years. Yields were 428 kg per hectare in FY22, 443 kg in FY23, 436 kg in FY24, 440 kg in FY25 and an estimated 428 kg in FY26, pointing to a pattern of stagnation rather than sustained improvement.
Against that backdrop, the government is said to be targeting an annual increase of 50 kg per hectare. Such a gain would mark a meaningful shift for the sector, where output pressure has become more visible as acreage and production concerns feed into import dependence.
The renewed push suggests policymakers see yield improvement as the key lever for strengthening India’s cotton supply base. With productivity showing little progress over several fiscal years, the strategy appears aimed at reversing that trend and supporting more stable domestic availability.
