Decline in Cotton Production in India

29-Mar-2025 10:48 AM

Decline in Cotton Production in India
★ Cotton production in India has been consistently declining in recent years, while imports have doubled. During April-January 2024-25, India's cotton imports increased from $518.4 million (April-January 2023-24) to $1,040.4 million. Meanwhile, cotton exports declined from $729.4 million to $660.5 million during the same period.
★ The success of Bt cotton boosted India's cotton production from 13.6 million bales (2002-03) to 39.8 million bales in 2013-14. The average cotton yield also increased from 302 kg per hectare (2002-03) to 566 kg per hectare (2013-14).
★ However, after 2014, the pink bollworm infestation severely impacted cotton crops, leading to a decline in production.