Ahmedabad: The Central Government has launched the ‘Mission for Cotton Productivity’ for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31, aiming to boost domestic cotton production, reduce reliance on imports, and increase farmers’ income. Gujarat Agriculture Minister Jitubhai Vaghani stated that under this scheme, cotton-growing farmers will receive input assistance of up to ₹14,000 per hectare to adopt modern farming practices.

According to the Agriculture Minister, a budget of ₹134.80 crore has been allocated to Gujarat for the 2026-27 financial year under the scheme. The mission aims to cover more than one lakh hectares across 21 districts of the state.

How Much Assistance Will Farmers Receive Under Different Cultivation Methods?

• Under the Mission for Cotton Productivity, farmers will receive assistance under two categories based on the cotton cultivation method they adopt.

• Under the Demonstration Component, farmers who cultivate cotton using Closer Spacing Technology with a planting pattern of 90 cm × 30 cm will receive input assistance of ₹14,000 per hectare.

• Farmers adopting the Integrated Crop Management (ICM) method with a planting pattern of 90 cm × 60 cm will be eligible for input assistance of ₹7,500 per hectare.

• A farmer can avail of the benefit under the scheme for a maximum of 2 hectares in a year.

• To be eligible for assistance, farmers must cultivate government-approved or certified cotton varieties or approved Bt cotton seeds and complete their Farmer Registry.

• Special training programmes will be organised throughout the year to promote modern cultivation practices and help farmers improve cotton productivity.

Eligible farmers wishing to avail themselves of assistance under the Mission can submit their applications online through the i-Khedut Portal from 10 July 2026.

Agriculture Minister Jitubhai Vaghani urged farmers who have cultivated cotton this season using a planting pattern of 90 cm × 30 cm or 90 cm × 60 cm, as well as those planning to adopt either of these methods, to apply through the i-Khedut Portal to avail themselves of the assistance. DeshGujarat