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Gujarat Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani on Friday stated that to increase cotton production in the country, reduce imports, and economically empower farmers, the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has launched the ambitious 'Mission for Cotton Productivity' (Cotton Revolution Mission) for the period from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
Under this mission, input assistance will be provided to cotton farmers over the next five years to encourage the adoption of modern farming practices, a release said. The Minister said that Gujarat has consistently been the country's leading contributor to cotton production. To further promote cotton cultivation through modern farming practices, a budget of Rs 134.80 crore has been approved for Gujarat under the Mission for Cotton Productivity this year, under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The mission aims to cover more than one lakh hectares across 21 cotton-growing districts in the state. 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 x 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 x 60 cm will be eligible for input assistance of 7,500 per hectare. A farmer can avail 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 assistance under the Mission can submit their applications online through the i-Khedut Portal from 10 July 2026. Vaghani urged farmers who have cultivated cotton this season using a planting pattern of 90 cm x 30 cm or 90 cm x 60 cm, as well as those planning to adopt either of these methods, to apply through the i-Khedut Portal to avail the assistance. (ANI)
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