New Delhi: Gujarat has emerged as the leading state in cotton production in India for the 2023-24 crop year, according to data presented by the Central Government. The state recorded a remarkable production of 90.57 lakh bales of cotton during the 2023-24 season, surpassing other major cotton-producing states such as Maharashtra and Telangana. India’s total cotton production for the same period is estimated at 325.22 lakh bales.

The minister of state for textiles, Shri Pabitra Margherita, in response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani during the ongoing winter session, states, “The details of total production and export of cotton in major cotton growing States including Gujarat during last three years is at Annexure-I.

 In order to boost export of textiles products, Central Government is implementing scheme for Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) on exports of Apparel/Garments and Made-ups. Further, textiles products not covered under the ROSCTL are covered under Remissions of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) along with other products. Central Government also provides financial support to various Export Promotion Councils and Trade Bodies engaged in promotion of textiles and garment exports, for organizing and participating in trade fairs, exhibitions, buyer-seller meets etc. Ministry is also supporting Export Promotion Councils/Associations in organizing a Mega Textile Show i.e. BHARAT TEX 2025 in February, 2025 to showcase the strength of the Indian textiles value chain, highlighting the latest progress/ innovations/ trends in textile & fashion Industry and positioning India as the most preferred destination for sourcing and investment in textile sector. India has also signed 14 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and 6 Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with various trading partners, which would ease access to global markets in the integrated cotton textile value chain.

Further, a premium Indian cotton brand i.e. Kasturi Cotton Bharat available in 29 mm and 30 mm long-staple varieties is developed through a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Textiles and the industry under a public- private partnership. Kasturi Cotton stands out as the first of its kind with unique features such as standardization, certification, and traceability. Till date, 464 units, including 374 ginning units and 90 supply chain members, have joined the initiative. As of October 30, 2024, 47,600 bales have been certified under the Kasturi Cotton label. As part of its branding efforts, Kasturi Cotton has been prominently showcased at international fashion expos, gaining significant attention from global brands and buyers.

Furthermore, the ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur, under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, along with AICRP on Cotton, focuses on developing improved cotton varieties and agro-technologies. Over the past decade, 333 cotton varieties have been released, including 191 non-Bt and 142 Bt cotton varieties. Other initiatives are also taken by ICAR-CICR are Voluntary Carbon Market Project, Genome Editing, Transgenic Research, HDPS Technology Scaling, Breeding for Resistance, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions to improve cotton production and sustainability in India.”

Annexure-I

Production of cotton in major States including Gujarat during last three years

(Production in lakh bales of 170 kgs each)

(Source: upag.gov.in)

Export of Cotton Textile by India during last three years

(Value in USD Million)

Source: DGCIS, Provisional Data

Export of Cotton Textile from Gujarat during last three years

(Value in USD Million)

Source: DGCIS, Provisional Data