Ahmedabad: Gujarat remained the country’s leading cotton producer for two consecutive years. The state’s cotton output reached 87.95 lakh bales in 2022-23 and increased to 90.57 lakh bales in 2023-24.
The national cotton production decreased in 2023-24 compared to the previous year. The total production figures stood at 336.60 lakh bales in 2022-23, declining to 325.22 lakh bales in 2023-24.
In the Rajya Sabha, Union minister of state for textile Pabitra Margherita, responding to queries from MP Parimal Nathwani, revealed that Gujarat contributed approximately 30% of India’s total cotton textile exports in 2023-24.
The minister’s statement indicated that India’s cotton textile exports amounted to $11,085 million in 2022-23 and $12,258 million in 2023-24. During these periods, Gujarat’s exports were valued at $2,835 million and $3,615 million respectively.
Nathwani requested details about national cotton production and exports, govt initiatives to boost exports, and measures to advance cotton production research.
The Union ministry of textile outlined various export promotion schemes, including rebates on state and central taxes for apparel exports. Products not covered under this scheme benefit from the Remissions of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products. India’s 14 Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and six Preferential Trade Agreements (PTA) facilitate access to international markets.
The ministry also highlighted the development of Kasturi Cotton Bharat, a premium Indian cotton brand available in 29 mm and 30 mm long-staple varieties. The ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, introduced 333 cotton varieties, comprising 191 non-Bt and 142 Bt varieties in the past decade.
