India’s new global positioning in textiles

WHEN WE SPEAK of India’s textile sector, we are not merely referring to factories, machines and fashion.

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We are talking about the lives of millions of Indians whose daily reality is rooted in cotton fields, hand-looms, powerlooms and sewing machines.Over the last 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the sector has witnessed a strategic vision, strong resolve and bold policy reforms. These efforts have infused new confidence into the textile industry. Today, the impact of recent reforms is not just structural change. It is a story of new opportunities for farmers,entrepreneurs,women, weavers, technicians and the youth.

Farmer-centric transformation

The foundation of the textile sector lies in the fields, and farmers are the first link in this value chain. Ensuring that cotton farmers are protected from market fluctuations, price uncertainty and exploitative intermediaries has always been a top priority. Between 2004 and 2014, government agencies procured 17.3 million cotton bales.

Between 2014 and 2024, this rose to 47.3 million bales, an increase of 173%. Similarly, major reforms in MSP have given farmers long-term stability. Cotton MSP, which stood at ₹3,700 per quintal in 2013-14, has been raised to ₹7,710 per quintal for 2025-26, an increase of 108%.

Mission for cotton productivity