Cotton Revival Mission in Tamil Nadu – ₹26.21 crore sanctioned for 2026–27; Minister R. Vinoth urges farmers to benefit
16-10-2026 · English
Topics: Tamil Nadu · 16 October 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)
News
In a statement on 16 Oct 2026, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister R. Vinoth said ₹26.21 crore has been sanctioned for 2026–27 for the 'Cotton Revival Mission' – a five-year scheme jointly funded by the Centre and the State – and ₹10.48 crore released as the first instalment. Close planting, high-density planting and extra-long-staple (ELS) cotton are prioritised; farmers in 22 districts can apply at block agricultural extension centres. The mission was announced in the 2026–27 Agriculture Budget (6 Aug 2026).
Key facts
| Funds | ₹26.21 crore for 2026–27; first instalment ₹10.48 crore; 5-year scheme (Centre–State) |
| Minister | R. Vinoth – Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare |
| Present status | About 1.27 lakh ha; about 2.50 lakh bales |
| Demo subsidy (per ha) | Close planting ₹14,000; high-density ₹18,500; ELS cotton ₹9,500; integrated crop management ₹7,500 |
| Other help | Seed subsidy; 100% subsidy on liquid biofertilisers, biocontrol agents, micronutrients, TNAU growth promoter; drone spraying; training |
| Districts | 22 – incl. Ariyalur, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Perambalur, Ramanathapuram, Salem, Theni, Virudhunagar |
Background
- Geography: cotton is a Kharif crop (Gossypium); black soil (regur) suits it best; it needs high temperature, light rain or irrigation, about 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine. One bale = 170 kg of lint.
- Science: Bt cotton carries a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis and resists bollworms; approved for commercial cultivation in India in 2002 – the only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in India.
- Central scheme: 'Mission for Cotton Productivity' – announced in the Union Budget 2025–26; approved by the Union Cabinet in May 2026; ₹5,659 crore for 2026–27 to 2030–31; ELS cotton, high-density planting and the 'Kasturi Cotton Bharat' brand.
- Economy: Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) – 1970, Ministry of Textiles; it buys cotton at the minimum support price (MSP). ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) – Nagpur; its regional station is at Coimbatore.
Tamil Nadu link: Coimbatore is the 'Manchester of South India' for its spinning mills; Tiruppur is the knitwear export hub. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and the CICR regional station are both in Coimbatore. As much of the cotton for the State's textile industry comes from other States, the mission aims to raise local output.
Source: Daily Thanthi, 16 Oct 2026; DT Next, ETV Bharat, Thervupettagam (Agri Budget, Aug 2026); Drishti IAS (May 2026)
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