Pilot study aims at quantum jump in cotton output

India will extend a pilot study targeted at increasing output of cotton farms beyond January 2024, enthused by the preliminary results of a 20-25% gain in productivity.

The average productivity of Indian farmers is around 450 kg per hectare, with some states having a productivity of around 750 kg per hectare. However, this is still lower than 1,500-2,200 kg per hectare witnessed in countries like Brazil and Australia.

The government is keen to bring productivity of Indian farmers on par with the Western ones and the Ministry of Textiles started the pilot study last year in association with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. "The initial estimates look promising, and we would in all likelihood extend the pilot," an official, familiar with the development, told ET.


The pilot is currently running 15,000 farmers across 10 states. "The pilot is yielding good results and industry has also recommended its extension," said an official, explaining that interventions such as high- density planting systems, closer spacing and Extra Long Staple cotton cultivation are being undertaken.

The government is looking at the best practices from across the states, which can then be implemented nationwide," the official said. While India's cotton yield had risen 44% to 554.4 kg per hectare in 2007-08 from 307.7 kg per hectare in 2001-02, it has since declined. In 2023-24, India's cotton yield is likely to be 429.1 kg per hectare.