Mission for Cotton Productivity (KAPAS KANTI) Approval and Implementation
The Government approved the Mission for Cotton Productivity (KAPAS KANTI) on 5th May, 2026 with an overall outlay of Rs. 5,659.22 crore for a five-year period from 2026-27 to 2030-31. The mission is structured into four components with different implementing agencies: Component-I(A) is implemented by the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) with an outlay of Rs. 555.05 crore; Component-I(B) is implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) with an outlay of Rs. 3,804.17 crore; Component-II is implemented by the Cotton Corporation of India with an outlay of Rs. 1,000 crore; and Component-III is implemented by the National Jute Board under the Ministry of Textiles with an outlay of Rs. 300 crore.
Karnataka-Specific Allocations and Targets
Under Component-I(A), approximately Rs. 11.50 crore has been approved for cotton productivity-related activities under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) at Raichur, Chamarajanagar and Dharwad in Karnataka. For Component-I(B), an amount of Rs. 4,850.13 lakh (Central Share: Rs. 2,910.08 lakh and State Share: Rs. 1,940.05 lakh) has been allocated to Karnataka during 2026-27. The Government of Karnataka has specifically earmarked Rs. 1,100.81 lakh for Raichur district under Component-I(B) for 2026-27.
The mission aims to increase Karnataka's cotton production to 40 lakh bales and enhance productivity to 860 kg lint per hectare by 2030-31. The year-wise targets provided by the State Government of Karnataka show production increasing from 26.00 lakh bales in 2026-27 to 40.00 lakh bales in 2030-31, with productivity rising from 559 kg lint/ha to 860 kg lint/ha over the same period. For Raichur district specifically, production targets increase from 6.59 lakh bales to 10.14 lakh bales, with productivity targets rising from 646 kg lint/ha to 994 kg lint/ha.
Implementation Framework and Coverage
The Mission initially covers 140 potential districts across 14 major cotton-growing States, selected based on their cotton-growing potential. The list of districts is indicative, and States have flexibility to revise the districts covered based on their annual plans, requirements, and/or performance. Raichur has been included as it is one of the major cotton-growing districts in Karnataka.
Implementation of Component-I(B) is monitored through State Level Committees and District Level Committees constituted in accordance with the mission provisions. The monitoring mechanism applies to all districts covered under the Mission, including Raichur, and includes monitoring against the year-wise targets furnished by the State Government.
Additional Scheme Components
Under Component-II, the Mission provides for setting up 50 cotton testing laboratories in clusters of cotton-producing districts across the country through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode via Request for Proposal (RFP) process, with no pre-specified State-wise or district-wise allocation.
The Mission also provides output-based incentives for production of Kasturi Cotton Bharat-certified cotton bales by eligible Ginning and Processing (G&P) factories. Eligible G&P factories, including those located in Karnataka, are eligible for consideration under the scheme subject to its provisions.