Centre Launches ₹600 Crore ‘Kapas Kranti’ Mission to Boost Long‑Staple Cotton Cultivation

The Government of India has rolled out the ambitious ₹600 crore Kapas Kranti Mission, aimed at boosting long-staple cotton farming and enhancing productivity in key growing areas. This initiative was unveiled in Hyderabad by Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who shared plans to expand successful farming models and foster scientific and technological advancements in cotton agriculture.

key Objectives of the Kapas Kranti Mission

The Kapas Kranti Mission has several key goals:

• Promote High-Density Plantation (HDP) techniques to boost yields

• Encourage the use of scientific farming methods

• Introduce tech-driven platforms for buying and selling

• Enhance farmer education and training through hands-on exposure visits

The mission aligns with the government’s vision of enhancing self-reliance in cotton production and improving income security for cotton farmers.

Learning from Maharashtra: HDP Success Model

• Maharashtra, especially the Akola region, has experienced remarkable success with High-Density Plantation (HDP) techniques in cotton farming.
• Farmers in this area have seen significant yield increases by using specialized seed varieties, planting closer together, and applying modern farming practices.
• The Kapas Kranti Mission aims to replicate these outcomes in Telangana, where over 24 lakh farmers are engaged in cotton cultivation.
• The plan is to replicate these practices in suitable regions of Telangana by taking farmers to Maharashtra to witness these methods first-hand, supply them with appropriate seeds, and motivate them to adopt HDP techniques

Financial Support and Procurement Milestones

According to the government, cotton procurement has seen a remarkable surge over the past decade.

• 2004–2014: 173 lakh bales worth ₹24,825 crore
• 2014–2024: 473 lakh bales worth ₹1.37 lakh crore
• Specifically, in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, cotton procurement expenditure crossed ₹65,000 crore—₹58,000 crore in Telangana and ₹8,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh.