Gandhinagar: Gujarat has received ₹134.80 crore under the Centre’s ambitious Cotton Productivity Mission aimed at increasing cotton production, reducing dependence on imports, and improving farmers’ income through modern agricultural practices.
Gujarat Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani said that the initiative has been launched by the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31. The mission focuses on encouraging cotton farmers to adopt advanced cultivation methods by providing input assistance and technical support.
Gujarat Receives ₹134.80 Crore for Cotton Productivity Mission
Under the Cotton Productivity Mission, Gujarat has been allocated ₹134.80 crore for the current year to promote modern cotton cultivation practices across the state.
Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani said Gujarat has consistently been one of India’s leading cotton-producing states, and the new initiative will further strengthen cotton productivity through improved farming techniques.
The programme aims to cover more than one lakh hectares of cotton cultivation area across 21 cotton-producing districts of Gujarat.
Farmers to Get Financial Assistance for Modern Cotton Farming
Under the scheme, farmers will receive input assistance based on the cotton cultivation method adopted by them.
The support has been divided into two major categories:
Close Spacing Technology (90 cm x 30 cm)
Farmers adopting the close spacing technology with a planting pattern of 90 cm x 30 cm will receive:
- ₹14,000 per hectare input assistance
This method is aimed at improving plant population, increasing productivity, and promoting efficient use of agricultural resources.
Integrated Crop Management (90 cm x 60 cm)
Farmers adopting Integrated Crop Management (ICM) practices with a planting pattern of 90 cm x 60 cm will receive:
- Up to ₹7,500 per hectare input assistance
The approach focuses on better crop management, improved productivity, and sustainable cotton cultivation.
Maximum Benefit Available for 2 Hectares Per Farmer
Under the Cotton Productivity Mission, a farmer can avail benefits for a maximum of 2 hectares of land in a year.
To become eligible for assistance, farmers must:
- Complete farmer registration
- Cultivate approved or certified cotton varieties
- Use government-approved Bt cotton seeds
- Follow the specified cultivation practices under the scheme
Applications Open Through i-Khedut Portal From July 10
Eligible farmers interested in receiving assistance under the mission can submit applications online through the i-Khedut portal from July 10, 2026.
Minister Jitu Vaghani appealed to farmers who have already adopted the 90 cm x 30 cm or 90 cm x 60 cm planting patterns during the current season, as well as farmers planning to adopt these methods, to apply through the portal to receive benefits.
Special Training Programmes for Cotton Farmers
To encourage the adoption of modern agricultural practices, the government will organize special training programmes throughout the year.
These programmes will focus on:
- Improved cotton cultivation techniques
- Productivity enhancement methods
- Scientific crop management
- Efficient use of agricultural inputs
- Adoption of new farming technologies
The training initiatives are expected to help farmers increase cotton yields and improve profitability.
Mission Aims to Strengthen Cotton Sector and Farmer Income
The Cotton Productivity Mission is designed to address key challenges in the cotton sector by improving production efficiency and supporting farmers financially.
The initiative is expected to:
- Increase cotton productivity
- Reduce India’s cotton import dependency
- Promote advanced farming techniques
- Improve farmers’ economic conditions
- Strengthen Gujarat’s position as a major cotton-producing state
With Gujarat being one of India’s largest cotton-producing regions, the implementation of this mission is expected to have a significant impact on farmers and the state’s agricultural economy.
The Cotton Productivity Mission represents a major step towards modernizing cotton cultivation in Gujarat. By providing financial assistance, training, and technology support, the initiative aims to help farmers adopt scientific farming practices, improve productivity, and enhance their income while contributing to India’s goal of reducing cotton imports.
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