Production of extra long staple fibre cotton to get boost: Nirmala Sitharaman

"The best of science and technology support will be provided to the farmers. This will help in increasing farmers income and ensure steady supply of quality cotton for rejuvenating India's traditional textile sector," Sitharaman said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday during the Union Budget announced a 5 year mission focused on improving the production of cotton, particularly extra long staple (ELS) cotton. India is highly import dependent on ELS cotton fibres that are longer than 35 mm and are known for its use in making high-quality fabrics.

“The best of science and technology support will be provided to the farmers. This will help in increasing farmers income and ensure steady supply of quality cotton for rejuvenating India’s traditional textile sector,” Sitharaman said.

The World Bank in September last year had said that India’s share in global exports of labour-intensive sectors such as apparel, leather, textiles, and footwear has declined. Meanwhile, countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Poland, Germany, and France have managed to increase their global export share in major job-creating sectors by up to 2 per cent between 2015 to 2022.

India’s textile and garment exports have remained stagnant at around $35 billion, while Vietnam and Bangladesh have gained market share, bolstered by free trade agreements (FTAs) and Least Developed Country (LDC) status, which provide a 10-15 per cent duty concession in the Western countries.

Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, specializing in economic policy and financial regulations. With over five years of experience in business journalism, he provides critical coverage of the frameworks that govern India's commercial landscape. Expertise & Focus Areas: Mishra’s reporting concentrates on the intersection of government policy and market operations. His core beats include: Trade & Commerce: Analysis of India's import-export trends, trade agreements, and commercial policies. Banking & Finance: Covering regulatory changes and policy decisions affecting the banking sector. Professional Experience: Prior to joining The Indian Express, Mishra built a robust portfolio working with some of India's leading financial news organizations. His background includes tenures at: Mint CNBC-TV18 This diverse experience across both print and broadcast media has equipped him with a holistic understanding of financial storytelling and news cycles. Find all stories by Ravi Dutta Mishra here ... Read More

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday during the Union Budget announced a 5 year mission focused on improving the production of cotton, particularly extra long staple (ELS) cotton. India is highly import dependent on ELS cotton fibres that are longer than 35 mm and are known for its use in making high-quality fabrics.

“The best of science and technology support will be provided to the farmers. This will help in increasing farmers income and ensure steady supply of quality cotton for rejuvenating India’s traditional textile sector,” Sitharaman said.

The World Bank in September last year had said that India’s share in global exports of labour-intensive sectors such as apparel, leather, textiles, and footwear has declined. Meanwhile, countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Poland, Germany, and France have managed to increase their global export share in major job-creating sectors by up to 2 per cent between 2015 to 2022.

India’s textile and garment exports have remained stagnant at around $35 billion, while Vietnam and Bangladesh have gained market share, bolstered by free trade agreements (FTAs) and Least Developed Country (LDC) status, which provide a 10-15 per cent duty concession in the Western countries.