The Indian government has launched the ambitious ₹600 crore “Kapas Kranti Mission” to transform cotton farming nationwide. This initiative focuses on promoting the cultivation of high-yield, long-staple cotton through a blend of scientific research, cutting-edge technological innovation, and robust extension services.
Union Minister of Coal & Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, announced on Friday that the mission draws inspiration from Maharashtra’s Akola region, where farmers have successfully adopted High-Density Plantation (HDP) methods, leading to significantly increased yields. The government plans to replicate these proven practices in suitable areas of Telangana. This will involve organizing exposure visits for Telangana farmers to Maharashtra to observe HDP techniques firsthand, providing them with quality seeds, and encouraging them to integrate these advanced methods into their farming. A post-harvest tour to Akola is also being arranged to allow farmers to witness successful HDP outcomes.
Addressing the current cotton procurement process, Minister Reddy highlighted that Telangana is India’s leading cotton producer, with approximately 24 lakh farmers engaged in its cultivation. To ensure fair and transparent procurement, agriculture and marketing officials will conduct a five-day village-level awareness campaign from October 21 to 24, promoting the new “Kapas Kisan App” and the overall procurement process.
Post-Diwali, 122 procurement centers will open their doors. Each center will have committees, chaired by District Collectors and including officials, police, revenue officers, and farmer representatives, dedicated to resolving grievances and preventing any exploitation.
The new “Kapas Kisan App” is designed to empower farmers by enabling them to book slots for selling their produce directly. This digital platform aims to streamline sales, bypass middlemen, and guarantee fair prices and transparency for farmers.
Extensive awareness campaigns are underway, utilizing pamphlets, social media, WhatsApp groups, and videos available in nine languages. Newspaper advertisements are also informing farmers about acceptable moisture levels and corresponding prices. Agricultural officers are actively visiting villages to assist with app registration and distribute informational materials, with tech-savvy rural youth also stepping in to help fellow farmers navigate the digital platform for smooth implementation.
In Telangana, 345 ginning centers have been notified, and agreements have been finalized with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). Village-level awareness about slot booking is being championed by agriculture officers, panchayat officials, and progressive farmers.
A recent review meeting with CCI officials from Adilabad, Warangal, and Mahbubnagar, alongside Telangana’s agriculture and cooperative department officers, identified certain issues that will be escalated to the Ministry of Textiles and CCI headquarters for prompt resolution.
Minister Reddy also underscored the Centre’s increased support for cotton farmers under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Between 2004 and 2014, the Centre, through CCI, procured 173 lakh bales of cotton worth ₹24,825 crore. This figure dramatically rose from 2014 to 2024, with procurement reaching 473 lakh bales and an expenditure of ₹1.37 lakh crore.
Over the past decade, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton has been doubled. In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh alone, the Centre has invested ₹65,000 crore in cotton procurement, with ₹58,000 crore allocated to Telangana and ₹8,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh.
Finally, the Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to tackling malpractices. Strict action is being taken against ginning mills and middlemen involved in illicit activities, and authorities are cracking down on counterfeit seeds, with penalties and license revocations already in effect for offending companies and dealerships, including arrests under the PD Act.