Technology Mission on Cotton

Published on 12 Mar 2025

Launched in 2000, the Technology Mission on Cotton aims to improve cotton cultivation practices, increase productivity, and promote sustainable cotton production.

Key Strategies:

• Deployment of Bt Cotton and Pest-Resistant Varieties: Introduce Bt cotton in pest-prone regions like the Central Deccan Plateau to combat bollworm infestations and significantly increase yields, reducing the dependency on chemical pesticides.

• Implementation of High-Density Planting Systems (HDPS): Promote HDPS in regions with low cotton productivity, such as parts of Vidarbha, to optimize plant density and maximize yield per unit area, leveraging the region's climate and soil conditions.

• Enhanced Seed Replacement Rate (SRR): Increase the SRR in cotton-growing areas through the distribution of certified, high-quality seeds, ensuring better germination rates and crop uniformity, which contributes to higher yields.

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Implement IPM practices in regions by encouraging the use of biological control agents, pheromone traps, and cultural practices to manage pest populations, reducing chemical pesticide usage and environmental impact.

Impact of the mission:

• Increased Cotton Yields: Significant yield improvements in the Central Deccan Plateau due to the widespread adoption of Bt cotton, with some areas witnessing up to a 50% increase in productivity.

• Sustainable Pest Management: Reduced pesticide usage and lower pest-related crop losses, resulting in more sustainable cotton farming practices and improved environmental health.

• Improved Cotton Quality: Enhanced fibre quality and consistency due to higher SRR and the use of certified seeds, leading to better market prices and increased farmer incomes.

• Optimized Land Use: Higher cotton output per unit area through the adoption of HDPS, contributing to better land-use efficiency and overall farm profitability.

Tags:
Economy

Keywords:
Agriculture Technology mission Cotton

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Agriculture and Food Security