Context: India’s cotton economy is not in great shape. India has no surplus in cotton and its yield at 450-kilogram per hectare is one of the lowest, against a global average of 800- kilogram plus.
Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Cotton production in India- challenges and opportunities.
Current Status of Cotton Production in India
- Declining Output: India's cotton production for 2024–25 is projected at 294 lakh bales (lb)- the lowest since 2008–09. This marks a fall from a peak of 398 lb in 2013–14, representing a nearly 100 lb drop in a decade.
- Net negative Exports: Once a major exporter, India cotton imports (30 lb) now exceed exports (17 lb). This shift raises concerns for India's textile and spinning industries.
Global Trade Context and Comparative Advantage:
- Favorable US Tariffs on Indian Textiles: Under the US’s reciprocal tariff policy, Indian textiles face a relatively lower import duty (27%) compared to China (54%), Vietnam (46%), Bangladesh, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Despite these favourable trade terms, India’s declining output limits its ability to capitalise on global export markets.
Fall in Cotton Production- Pink Bollworm (PBW) Crisis:
- Cotton lint yields rose from 302 kg/ha in 2002–03 to 566 kg/ha in 2013–14, due to Bt cotton adoption. However, since the PBW resurgence, yields have declined to around 436–437 kg/ha over the last two years.
- PBW is a monophagous pest that feeds exclusively on cotton bolls, damaging seeds and lint leading to yield loss and fibre discolouration.
- Resistance to GM Bt Cotton: Bt hybrids carry two genes- cry1Ac and cry2Ab- originally effective against multiple pests. However, PBW developed resistance by 2014, making these genes ineffective.
- Why did PBW adapt faster? Its exclusive diet (cotton only) allowed faster genetic resistance. A short life cycle (25-35 days) enabled 3-4 generations per crop season, speeding up resistance evolution.
Regulatory Process for GM Crop Approval: Stages of GM crop trials in India:
- Event Selection Trial: Initial screening of gene effectiveness.
- BRL-1 (2 years): Confined field trials on <1 acre plots.
- BRL-2 (1 year): Expanded trials on up to 2.5 acres.
- GEAC Clearance: Post-trial approval needed from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
- State Government Approval: Necessary for field trial permissions.
Efforts to increase Cotton Production
- Development of New GM Hybrids: Indian seed companies are developing hybrids using new Bt genes to combat PBW resistance. These include testing cry8Ea1 gene hybrids (Bioseed Research India); synthetic cry1c gene; chimeric Bt protein etc. However, the challenges include:
- Bureaucratic delays in regulatory clearances.
- Opposition from environmental groups.
- No GM crop commercialised since 2006 in India (after Monsanto’s Bollgard-2 Bt cotton).
- Government Mission for Cotton Productivity: The 2025-26 Union Budget has announced an ambitious Rs 500 crore five-year plan to boost cotton production, promote extra-long staple cotton varieties, and promote scientific and technological support for cotton farmers.
Pink Ballworm has created an emergency-like situation in India’s cotton sector. The Central Government needs to adopt a more proactive approach with regard to new GM crop development and extending policy support.