Introduction and Significance

Often referred to as 'White Gold', cotton is India's most vital commercial fibre crop and the backbone of its flourishing textile industry. Primarily grown as a Kharif crop cultivated across diverse agro-climatic zones, with major production concentrated in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Rajasthan. The economic implications of cotton are vast, extending from providing raw material for an industry that is a massive employer and exporter, while also supporting ancillary sectors such as ginning, spinning, and cottonseed oil extraction. Cotton farming supports the livelihoods of millions of farmers and agricultural workers. While the fibre is inedible, the seed is processed to produce edible oil, a valuable source of fats, and the remaining seed cake serves as a protein-rich feed for livestock, showcasing cotton’s multifaceted contribution.

Often referred to as “White Gold”, cotton is India’s most commercial fibre crop and forms the backbone of its vibrant textile industry. The crop is notoriously susceptible to pest attacks, with the pink bollworm having developed resistance to BT cotton, causing widespread damage and economic loss. This necessitates heavy investment in pesticides, escalating cultivation costs and environmental concerns. Climatic uncertainty, particularly erratic rainfall in rain-fed cultivation areas, critically impacts boll development and yield. Market dynamics present another hurdle, with farmers often at the mercy of fluctuating international prices and delayed payments from ginning mills. Furthermore, issues like soil nutrient depletion from mono-cropping, the high cost of quality seeds, and contamination of cotton lint during picking and storage reduce the final quality and price realization for the farmer.