The Ministry of Textiles on Tuesday marked World Cotton Day 2025 with a strong emphasis on sustainability, technology adoption, and export-led growth in India’s cotton sector.
Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving USD 100 billion in textile exports as part of the broader USD 350 billion textile sector target by 2030, alongside the goal of carbon neutrality.
Speaking at the event organised jointly by the Ministry of Textiles and the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) in New Delhi, Singh described cotton as “the soul of Indian agriculture — a reflection of farmers’ resilience and hope.”
Highlighting India’s vast 40% share in global cotton cultivation, the Minister noted that the country still lags in productivity at around 450 kg per hectare, compared to the global average of 2,000 kg per hectare. He announced that a ‘Mission for Cotton Productivity’ is under active consideration to bridge this gap.
Singh also urged the industry to adopt eco-friendly and resource-efficient practices, stressing the importance of water and energy conservation, soil health, and renewable energy use in India’s predominantly rain-fed cotton regions.
He called on all stakeholders — from farmers and ginners to brands and exporters — to “emotionally connect” with the journey of cotton and help elevate ‘Kasturi Cotton Bharat’ into a globally recognized premium brand, comparable to Egyptian Giza or American Supima.
The event also saw the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) under the Kasturi Cotton Bharat initiative with key organisations including Arvind Ltd, Nitin Spinners, RSR International, All India Cotton FPO Association, Beetle Regen, ICAR-CIRCOT, Hohenstein, and Noida Apparel Export Cluster. The initiative aims to position Indian cotton as a symbol of purity, quality, and sustainability in global markets.
Union Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs Pabitra Margherita underscored the need for leadership in sustainability, quality, and ethical production, aligning the Kasturi Cotton initiative with the government’s 5F vision — farm, fibre, factory, fashion, and foreign.
The programme also featured insights from CCI Chairman-cum-Managing Director Lalit Kumar Gupta and representatives from CITI and TEXPROCIL, who reiterated cotton’s critical role in driving employment, rural livelihoods, and India’s overall economic growth.
