New mission taking shape to tackle India's cotton crisis

Shrinking yields Annual cotton production in India.

- Dhirendra Kumar & Vijay C. Roy

The Centre has begun the groundwork for launching a National Cotton Productivity Mission, with discussions underway to chart out a strategy focused on crop diversification, yield improvement, introduction of new seed varieties and promoting mechanised farming, two officials said.

These measures are aimed at revitalizing the cotton economy amid inconsistent yields. India's cotton industry, the world's second-largest, has been grappling with shrinking yields unable to keep up with advanced farming practices and technology, prompting a series of emergency measures by the government.