Cotlook Index: 13-07-2026
90.70 (+0.95)
Bharat Tex 2026 opens in New Delhi with 1600 exhibitors
Tue. 14th July 2026 (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com/news)
Insights: Bharat Tex 2026 has opened in New Delhi, bringing together India's textile value chain with over 1,600 exhibitors, 7,000 buyers and participants from 14 countries.
The four-day event features B2B meetings, investment sessions, policy discussions and sourcing opportunities to boost trade, innovation, global partnerships and investment worldwide.
Bharat Tex 2026 opened today at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, bringing together India's entire textile value chain with global buyers, exhibitors, policymakers and investors for four days of sourcing, trade, investment and collaboration. The event will run until July 17.
Organised by the Bharat Tex Trade Federation, a consortium of Textile Export Promotion Councils and industry bodies, with support from the Ministry of Textiles, the third edition features over 1,600 exhibitors, more than 7,000 buyers, around 130,000 trade visitors and over 20,000 products spread across 1.6 million square feet.
Minister of Textiles, Government of India, Giriraj Singh inaugurated the event, joined by Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita, Textiles Secretary Neelam Shami Rao, senior government officials and industry leaders.
The exhibition covers the complete textile value chain, including fibre, yarn, fabric, apparel and fashion, home textiles, technical textiles and ancillary industries.
International exhibitors from 14 countries including the US, UK, Japan, Portugal, Spain, New Zealand, South Korea, South Africa and Nepal are participating alongside representatives from the United Nations and the European Union, while ministerial and business delegations from countries such as New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Japan, the US, the UK and Bangladesh are attending to strengthen bilateral cooperation, sourcing and trade partnerships.
The event is expected to facilitate over 4,000 B2B meetings, more than 100 business-to-government (B2G) meetings and the signing of 30-plus memoranda of understanding (MoUs) across trade, investment, sustainability, technology and market access.
Dedicated investor-connect sessions will enable Indian states to showcase textile infrastructure, PM MITRA parks and policy incentives.
More than 350 speakers from over 20 countries will participate in over 100 knowledge sessions, including panel discussions, roundtables, masterclasses and state sessions covering trade, sustainability, Industry 5.0, innovation, technical textiles and global sourcing.
The event will also host the CITI Textile Sustainability Awards 2026 and deploy AI-enabled digital platforms for exhibitor discovery, business matchmaking and meeting scheduling, reinforcing Bharat Tex's role as a global platform for India's textile industry.
Fibre2Fashion is exhibiting at Hall 10, Booth 10A-4B.
India promotes textile waste upcycling with Weave the Future 4.0
Tue. 14th July 2026 (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com/news)
Insights: India is promoting textile waste upcycling through Weave the Future 4.0, a Ministry of Textiles initiative showcasing circular textile solutions at New Delhi's Dilli Haat.
The exhibition features 100+ brands, artisans and startups highlighting upcycling, recycling, repair and sustainable design to advance a more circular textile economy.
India is strengthening its push towards a circular textile economy through ‘Weave the Future 4.0 – Upcycling Edition,’ a Ministry of Textiles initiative showcasing textile waste upcycling, recycling, repair and circular design solutions. The six-day exhibition, being held at Dilli Haat, INA, from July 12-17, brings together over 100 brands, artisans, startups, recyclers and innovators to promote sustainable textile production and responsible resource use.
Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, who visited the exhibition on Sunday, said rising textile consumption makes it imperative to strengthen circular economy practices, scale responsible production and convert textile waste into valuable resources. He said initiatives such as Weave the Future 4.0 demonstrate how innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability can create both economic opportunities and environmental benefits while supporting better livelihoods for workers.
Organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), the exhibition highlights solutions including upcycling, recycling, repair, repurposing and material recovery, while connecting India's traditional craft heritage with modern circular design practices. It also features interactive installations, repair demonstrations, workshops and discussions on sustainable design and conscious consumption.
Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Dr M Beena said the platform has evolved into a national initiative linking artisans, designers, startups, recycling enterprises and students to develop practical and scalable solutions for textile waste management. She noted that growing participation by young entrepreneurs reflects increasing interest in sustainable consumption and resource efficiency.
The exhibition also includes the 'Marammat' workshop, organised in collaboration with Rafooghar, which encourages repair and mending as sustainable alternatives to textile disposal.
The Ministry said Weave the Future aims to strengthen India's leadership in sustainable, craft-led and circular textile development by fostering collaboration across the textile value chain.
Cotton Acreage Declines in Khandesh as Farmers Shift to Maize and Soybean
Tue. 14th July 2026, Jayesh Chouhan (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Cotton Acreage Shrinks in Maharashtra's Khandesh; Farmers Shift Towards Maize and Soybean
Jalgaon/Maharashtra: A significant shift in cropping patterns is being observed in Maharashtra's Khandesh region during this year's Kharif season. While sowing for Kharif crops is nearly 81 percent complete, the area under cotton cultivation is steadily declining. Due to rising cultivation costs, weak market prices, and increasing pest infestations, farmers are now turning towards alternative crops such as maize, soybean, and arhar (tur/pigeon pea).
Specifically, the cotton cultivation area in Jalgaon district has decreased by approximately 25,000 hectares compared to the previous season. While cotton was cultivated on about 5.11 lakh hectares in the district during 2024-25, this figure has dropped to around 4.55 lakh hectares this year.
According to Agriculture Department data, cotton acreage has declined in other districts of Khandesh as well. In Dhule district, cotton is being cultivated on approximately 1.75 lakh hectares this year, down from nearly 2 lakh hectares in the previous season. Meanwhile, in Nandurbar district, the cotton area has shrunk to about 85,000 hectares, compared to over 97,000 hectares last year.
Farmers state that while the cost of cotton cultivation keeps rising, market prices are not commensurate with production levels. Escalating costs of labor, fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides have driven up expenses. Additionally, the menace of the pink bollworm and changing weather patterns have further compounded concerns for cotton growers.
State-wise CCI Cotton Sales
Tue. 14th July 2026, Yash Chouhan (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
State-wise CCI Cotton Sales Details – 2025-26 Season
The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) Increased its cotton candy prices by upto ₹800 per candy during this week . CCI has sold approximately 81,86,800 cotton bales for the 2025-26 season. Sales are highly concentrated in a few major cotton-producing states, Maharashtra, Telangana and Gujarat emerging as the leading contributors.
ICE cotton pauses after strong rally, weather concerns persist
Tue. 14th July 2026 (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com/news)
Insights: ICE cotton futures paused after last week's strong rally, with the December 2026 contract slipping 0.03 cent to 81.51 cents while holding most of its weekly gains.
Hot, dry weather in West Texas and declining US crop ratings supported prices despite bearish USDA WASDE estimates.
Higher crude oil prices and lower ICE certified stocks also underpinned the market.
ICE cotton futures paused yesterday after last week's strong rally. Cotton contracts settled with limited gains to slight losses. The most actively traded contract held on to most of its 442-point gain from the previous week, reflecting continued underlying support for the natural fibre.
The most active December 2026 contract settled at 81.51 cents, down 0.03 cent. Other nearby contracts settled between 9 points lower and 10 points higher.
Trading activity remained subdued, with analysts focusing primarily on hot and dry weather across key US cotton-growing regions, particularly the Southwest and West Texas, where prolonged heat could negatively affect crop development during the critical growing stage.
Market analysts said the ongoing hot and dry conditions in the Southwest Plains, especially West Texas, remain the market's primary bullish factor. West Texas is the largest cotton-producing region in the United States, making its weather especially important for production prospects.
The latest USDA Crop Progress Report showed that 44 per cent of the US cotton crop was rated good-to-excellent, down from 46 per cent the previous week and 54 per cent a year earlier, reflecting continued deterioration in crop conditions.
Trading volume increased to 59,297 contracts from 54,824 contracts in the previous session, while the average daily trading volume last week stood at 55,791 contracts, indicating steady market participation despite limited fresh cotton-specific news.
Traders continued to assess the USDA's July WASDE Report, which projected 2026-27 US cotton production at 13.70 million bales, US ending stocks at 4.10 million bales, and global ending stocks increasing by 300,000 bales. Despite the slightly bearish supply revisions, the market remained focused on weather rather than the report.
The US Dollar Index strengthened slightly, but analysts noted that the move had little impact on cotton prices. However, a stronger dollar generally reduces the competitiveness of US cotton exports in international markets.
CBOT soybean and corn futures closed slightly higher, supported by continued concerns over hot and dry weather across parts of the US Midwest.
Crude oil surged about 9 per cent, reaching its highest close in nearly one month, following renewed military exchanges between the US and Iran, which escalated tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and raised concerns over global energy supplies. Higher crude oil prices supported cotton by increasing polyester production costs, thereby improving cotton's relative price competitiveness against synthetic fibres.
Broader financial markets were mixed, with gold falling 2.6 per cent, silver declining 3.6 per cent, grain markets remaining mostly unchanged, and all three major US equity indices closing lower ahead of key US inflation data and Federal Reserve testimony.
Market participants are now focused on the upcoming US June CPI inflation report and Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's congressional testimony, both of which could influence interest rate expectations, the US dollar, and overall commodity market sentiment.
ICE certified cotton stocks as of July 10 declined further to 127,127 bales from 158,607 bales previously, reflecting another significant reduction in deliverable supplies.
This morning (Indian Standard Time), ICE cotton for December 2026 traded at 81.76 cents per pound (up 0.25 cent), cash cotton at 75.83 cents (down 0.09 cent), October 2026 at 80.28 cents (up 0.45 cent), March 2027 at 83.16 cents (up 0.22 cent), May 2027 at 83.99 cents (up 0.25 cent), and July 2027 at 83.32 cents (up 0.16 cent). A few contracts remained at their previous closing levels, with no trades recorded so far today.
Cotton Growers in Punjab Warned as Whitefly Infestation Threatens Crop Health
Mon. 13th July 2026 (Source: www.textilevaluechain.in)
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has reported the presence of whitefly infestation in some cotton fields following a recent survey across the state’s cotton belt. The pest population has been observed nearing the economic threshold level of six whiteflies per leaf.
Experts have cautioned that the prevailing weather conditions could lead to a further rise in infestation levels during the coming week. Farmers have been advised to regularly inspect their fields and begin pest management measures once the infestation reaches the economic threshold level.
For controlling whiteflies, PAU has recommended spraying any one of the prescribed insecticides, including flonicamid, afidopyropen or pyrifluquinazon, in recommended quantities.
Farmers have also been advised to monitor green leafhopper infestation and apply recommended pesticides if 50 per cent of fully developed leaves show yellowing along the edges and downward curling.
For early-sown cotton, PAU has suggested initiating pink bollworm control when 10-20 per cent of plants reach the flower-bud stage, using the recommended insecticides.
To manage white bollworm in desi cotton, the university has recommended spraying one of the prescribed pesticides when about 25 per cent of plants have flowered.
Rising MSP Without Rising Productivity Could Deepen India’s Cotton Problem
Sat. 11th July 2026 (Source: www.textilevaluechain.in)
Why a support-price-first approach may weaken domestic cotton demand, complicate textile sourcing, and still leave farmers under stress
India’s cotton economy is entering a phase of deep contradiction. On one side, the government continues to raise Minimum Support Prices to protect farmers. On the other, cotton productivity, fibre quality, and cost competitiveness remain weak relative to the needs of India’s textile industry and the realities of the global market.
The latest CCI data makes the scale of the issue clear. During the 2025–26 season, as on 28 June 2026, total cotton procurement stood at 105 lakh bales. Out of this, 79.34 lakh bales had been sold, including 33.57 lakh bales to mills and 45.77 lakh bales to traders, while 25.66 lakh bales remained unsold. These numbers underline one basic reality: the Indian cotton market is becoming increasingly dependent on large-scale intervention to absorb cotton when open-market demand is not strong enough at MSP-linked price levels.That should worry the entire cotton value chain.
MSP plays an important role in protecting farmers from distress sales. But when MSP keeps rising while productivity remains low and global lint prices stay broadly stagnant, Indian cotton risks becoming less attractive not only in export markets, but even within India itself. Mills ultimately buy cotton based on price, quality, contamination, yarn realization, and competitiveness. If Indian cotton becomes structurally expensive without a matching improvement in yield and fibre performance, domestic demand starts weakening in relative terms.
That creates complications on both sides.
For the textile industry, costlier domestic cotton reduces procurement flexibility and adds pressure to yarn and fabric margins. Mills become more dependent on policy relief, import windows, or selective buying strategies. Some may shift toward imported cotton for specific qualities. Others may reduce aggressive domestic buying if Indian cotton does not offer the right balance of price and performance. Over time, this can distort the market and weaken confidence in the domestic cotton system.
For farmers, the outcome is even more troubling. A rising MSP may appear supportive, but if the market cannot naturally absorb cotton at those levels, then farmers become more dependent on CCI procurement rather than real competitive demand. That is not a healthy long-term solution. It can keep the crop moving in the short term, but it does not solve the underlying problem of low productivity, high cost per unit of output, weak fibre consistency, and inadequate farm-level resilience. In such a situation, the farmer is protected from immediate collapse, but not empowered toward sustainable profitability.
This is why India’s cotton debate must move beyond MSP alone.
The question isn’t whether MSP should exist. It should. The real question is whether MSP is being supported by a serious productivity strategy. Without that, the country risks creating a cycle where cotton becomes more expensive to support, more difficult to sell competitively, and more dependent on repeated intervention by CCI season after season.
That is precisely why the newly approved Mission for Cotton Productivity (2026–27 to
2030–31) is so important. With an outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore, the mission recognizes that India’s cotton sector is facing serious structural bottlenecks in productivity, quality, and competitiveness. But the challenge is that a lot still needs to be done for the mission to make a real difference on the ground.
The mission cannot remain only a budget announcement or a research-and-extension statement. It must translate into measurable field-level outcomes: higher yields, better seed reliability, lower contamination, stronger agronomy, improved pest and moisture management, more resilient farm practices, and better alignment between what farmers grow and what mills actually need. Productivity must not be treated as a technical side issue. It is now central to farmer welfare, industry competitiveness, and national cotton strategy.
If India succeeds only in raising MSP but fails to raise yield and quality, then it will end up protecting cotton without strengthening cotton.
That would be a costly mistake.
A competitive cotton economy cannot be built only by increasing support prices. It must be built by increasing output per hectare, improving fibre quality, and reducing the gap between domestic cotton economics and global market realities. Otherwise, the country may see more CCI buying, more unsold stocks, more industry discomfort, and continued farmer distress — all at the same time.
India still has the chance to course correct. But that correction must begin with one clear principle: productivity is the real foundation of price strength. Without it, higher MSP may offer temporary relief, but it cannot deliver lasting cotton security, neither for farmers nor the textile industry.
Crystal Crop Protection Launches 6 New Agri Products
Tue. 14th July 2026 (Source: www. money.rediff.com)
Crystal Crop Protection introduces six new products for paddy, soybean, maize, and cotton, targeting weed, disease, pest, and nutrition management.
New Delhi, Jul 14 (PTI) Crystal Crop Protection Ltd on Tuesday said it has launched six new products targeting weed, disease, pest and nutrition management in paddy, soybean, maize and cotton crops.
The company introduced Samorian, a soybean herbicide that uses a patented three-way mode of action against grasses and broadleaf weeds, and Takuro, a combination herbicide for maize that combines rapid systemic action with long-lasting residual control.
In its paddy fungicide range, Crystal launched Xeberia, aimed at fungal and bacterial diseases, and MAXentra, a dual-action fungicide for broad-spectrum disease control, the company said in a statement.
The company also introduced Valtruva, a cotton insecticide that uses "Smart Triple Action Technology" to control sucking pests, building on its existing Proclaim Xtra and Jivora brands.
The sixth product, KGR-T, is an organic nutrition solution developed under Crystal's Green-Ag platform, using what the company calls an Effervescent Tablet Delivery System and Extended Nutrient Release technology to improve nutrient efficiency and crop resilience.
"Indian agriculture is evolving rapidly. Climate uncertainty, changing pest dynamics and rising expectations from every acre demand a new generation of agricultural innovation," said Ankur Aggarwal, chairman and managing director of Crystal Crop Protection.
Sohit Satyawali, the company's chief business officer for brands, said the products were developed after field trials across multiple agro-climatic regions in India.
"These launches strengthen our ability to offer farmers and channel partners a comprehensive portfolio," he said.
Crystal Crop Protection said the launches reflect its focus on integrated pest management and expanding access to new molecules, biologicals and bio-stimulants aimed at improving farm productivity while supporting environmental sustainability.
India''s Textile Exports Thrive with Diversification: Giriraj Singh
Tue. 14th July 2026 (Source: www. money.rediff.com)
Union Minister Giriraj Singh highlights India''s textile sector resilience, fueled by export diversification & FTAs. Bharat Tex 2026 showcases global competitiveness.
New Delhi, Jul 14 (PTI) India is currently exporting textile products from 550 districts, and the government's export diversification strategy has helped the sector remain resilient despite global uncertainty, Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh said on Tuesday.
Inaugurating India's largest global textile event, Bharat Tex 2026, the minister said India's strategy to target 40 key nations for export diversification helped its textiles sector register sustained export growth despite global uncertainty.
"Buyers from 130 countries have come. We are in the process of negotiating FTAs with various nations; some are underway while others have been signed. This shows we are ready to compete globally," Singh told reporters on the sidelines of the event.
As many as 130 countries are participating in the third edition of Bharat Tex 2026, including the US, UK, Japan, Russia, South Africa, UAE and Bangladesh, among others.
The wide participation in Bharat Tex 2026 underscores India's growing global presence in the textiles sector amid the government's push for free trade agreements (FTAs), export diversification and ease of doing business reforms, Singh said.
"Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have identified 40 nations for export diversification which we are working on; therefore, India's textiles exports did not suffer much despite global uncertainty," he said.
According to Singh, over 90 per cent of the exhibitors at Bharat Tex 2026 are micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), reflecting the sector's broad-based participation.
He said global textile imports are estimated at around USD 900 billion and noted that the Narendra Modi-led government has signed FTAs with major textile-importing nations while negotiations for similar pacts with several other countries are underway.
The minister said the event is drawing investor interest in addition to overseas buyers.
Asked what message he will convey to global textile buyers looking to diversify beyond China, Singh said, "I have a meeting with them. This time not only buyers are coming here but also investors".
The minister highlighted that several textile manufacturing clusters such as Tiruppur, Surat, Ichalkaranji, Panipat and Ludhiana are gaining prominence, aided by improvements in the ease of doing business. He also noted that the government has waived the import duty on cotton till October.
Highlighting the sector's growth ambitions, the minister said India aims to build a USD 350 billion textile market by 2030, comprising USD 100 billion in exports and a USD 250 billion domestic market.
He said the domestic textile market has expanded from USD 138 billion when the present government assumed office to around USD 190 billion currently.
Maharashtra to Set Up International Agri-Market Near Vadhvan
Tue. 14th July 2026 (Source: www. money.rediff.com)
Maharashtra plans a world-class agricultural market near Vadhvan Port to boost farm exports, create 10,000+ jobs, and link farmers globally. Developed by MSAMB.
Mumbai, Jul 14 (PTI) The Maharashtra government will set up an international-standard agricultural market in Palghar district, about 40km from the upcoming Vadhvan port, to strengthen farm exports and link cultivators directly to global markets, Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal said on Tuesday.
The proposed market at Dapchari, which will be spread across more than 558.43 hectares, would function as a world-class agricultural trade hub catering to both domestic and export markets and also generate more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, he told reporters here.
Rawal said the project, approved by the state cabinet earlier in the day, would be developed by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) on the lines of France's Rungis Market, Royal FloraHolland in the Netherlands and the agricultural logistics ecosystem around the Port of Rotterdam.
The state government plans to develop a three-tier agricultural marketing system at the sprawling site adjoining Mumbai comprising an international market, a market of national importance and Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs), informed the minister.
The mega project will focus on export infrastructure, post-harvest value addition, transparent computerised trading and modern marketing facilities, he maintained.
According to Rawal, the hub will provide wholesale trading, import-export facilities, and house cold chain infrastructure, grading and packaging units, multimodal logistics, agritech and exchange centres at one location.
Warehousing, cold storage, ripening chambers, quality testing laboratories, container terminals, railway siding, e-auction facilities and an export facilitation centre are also planned at the site, he said.
He noted that Maharashtra accounts for around 15 per cent of India's agricultural exports and 43 per cent of overseas shipments of fruits. The state is the country's largest producer of grapes, pomegranates, cotton and pulses, and ranks second in fruit and vegetable production.
The project is expected to reduce post-harvest losses by 15-20 per cent and lower transportation and handling costs by a similar margin, Rawal said.
The hub's connectivity to the upcoming Vadhvan Deepwater Port, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Western Dedicated Freight Corridor and Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway would help cut logistics costs and significantly boost exports of fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, pulses, spices and processed farm products, he noted.
Rawal said the project would be developed by MSAMB with the support of the state government and would help position Maharashtra as a leading agricultural export hub in the country.
From Lab to Land: Why Are Krishi Vigyan Kendras Falling Short of Their Full Potential?
Sat. 11th July 2026 (Source: www.eng.ruralvoice.in)
India's 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) have significantly improved farm productivity, incomes and technology adoption by bridging the gap between agricultural research and farmers. However, inadequate funding, staff shortages and weak infrastructure limit their potential. The article calls for structural reforms to strengthen KVKs as integrated centres for knowledge, technology and rural entrepreneurship.
India is a leading agricultural producer globally, ranking first in the production of milk, pulses, jute and second in rice, wheat, sugarcane, groundnuts, cotton, fruits, and vegetables in the world. Between 1947 and 2020, India's food grain production increased six fold, horticulture ten fold, milk nine fold, and fish production thirteen fold.
However, despite possessing soil, climate, and abundant vegetative resources suitable for agriculture, agricultural productivity and farmers' income from farming remain lower compared to other nations. The small size of landholdings is often cited as one of the primary reasons for this low productivity. Yet, productivity does not inherently depend on the size of the landholding; rather, it relies on technological and capital investment in agriculture. Any unit area that receives higher inputs of technology and capital will consequently exhibit higher productivity. Countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea demonstrate higher productivity than India, even though the average size of their landholdings is roughly equivalent to or even smaller than that of India. Therefore, to enhance agricultural productivity and boost farmers' income, it is imperative to increase capital and technological investment in the agricultural sector.
The government is promoting capital investment in agriculture through schemes such as the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and Kisan Credit Card. However, another significant reason for low agricultural productivity is the limited adoption of advanced technologies in farming. The majority of farmers continue to rely on traditional and outdated techniques. The limited use of advanced technologies by farmers does not imply that such technologies are not being developed within the country.
More than 100 research institutes dedicated to agriculture and allied sectors operate across the country under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Every year, these institutes develop hundreds of improved crop varieties endowed with diverse traits as well as various other technologies; however, due to a disorganized agricultural extension system, only a limited number of these innovations are successfully transfer from lab to land.
Numerous experiments were conducted to transfer agricultural technologies from the lab to the land; however, the establishment of the first Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Puducherry in 1974 marked a revolutionary beginning in the field of agricultural extension. Witnessing the success of these KVKs, on August 15, 2005, the former Prime Minister, the late Dr. Manmohan Singh, announced from the Red Fort the establishment of one KVK in every rural district of the country by 2007. In accordance with the announcement, one KVK also known as a Farm Science Centre was established in every rural district of the country and two in certain large districts.
Currently, 731 KVKs are working across the country as multi-disciplinary institutions to transfer technology from lab to the land. They facilitate the assessment and demonstration of technologies, provide training to farmers including women farmers and agricultural extension personnel, foster rural entrepreneurship and supply quality seeds, planting materials and agricultural advisories. Through national initiatives such as natural and organic farming, the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), the use of agricultural drones, promotion of pulses and oilseeds production, crop residue management and climate-resilient agriculture, they are actively enhancing agricultural productivity and farmers' income. During the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' held from May 29 to June 12, 2025, KVKs played a pivotal role in facilitating scientific dialogues with approximately 13.5 million farmers across 728 districts. While ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency) and state governments also engage in agricultural extension activities, they, too, depend on the KVKs.
According to a study conducted by NITI Aayog in 2018, approximately 40 percent of farmers immediately adopt the techniques recommended by KVK experts, while about 25 percent implement them the following year. The adoption of techniques recommended by KVKs has resulted in an increase of approximately 42 percent in productivity and 33 percent in income, alongside a 20 percent reduction in hard labour. Approximately 25 percent of the youth who receive training from KVKs go on to start their own self-employment ventures. As a result of interventions by KVKs, about 80 percent of farmers have modified their farming patterns; these changes include crop diversification, seed sowing practices, the use of fertilizers and pesticides, changes in machinery and the efficient utilization of water. In another impact study conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute in 2019, the benefit-cost ratio for investments in KVKs is approximately 12. This implies that an investment of one rupee in a KVK yields a return of 12 rupees, thereby underscoring the favourable economic returns generated by the activities of these centres.
Despite these remarkable achievements, KVKs are plagued by multifaceted structural challenges. Inadequate budgeting - constituting less than one percent of the agricultural budget and limited staffing (only 16 employees), wherein 30 percent of the positions remain vacant according to the parliamentary committee report-2025, coupled with delays in fund allocation and uncertainties regarding experts' salaries, promotions, and pensions, are adversely affecting morale. Despite being 100 percent funded by the ICAR, administrative control exercised by diverse host institutions such as ICAR institutes, agricultural universities, NGOs, and state governments gives rise to financial and administrative complexities. Furthermore, a dearth of infrastructure - including testing laboratories, training halls and farmers' hostels is weakening the Lab to Land linkage, thereby hindering the timely transfer of technology.
Therefore, KVKs can play a crucial role in nourishing growing population and ensuring income security for the farmers amidst a deepening climate crisis, shrinking arable land and water resources. To achieve this, it is imperative to transition KVKs from 'Plan' to 'Non-Plan' budgetary heads bringing them under an integrated umbrella as well as to fill vacant positions, ensure timely disbursement of salaries, promotions, and pensions to employees, adequate budgetary allocations, digital infrastructure and merge ATMA with KVKs, to develop them on the line of district hospitals as a ‘Krishi Vigyan Evam Gramin Udyamita Kendras’, thereby enabling farmers to access knowledge, technology, training, inputs, and advisory services all under a single roof.
(The writer is an Agriculture Scientist, associated with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Siddharthnagar, U.P. Views expressed here are his personal)
USDA raises global cotton output forecast, consumption higher in July
Tue. 14th July 2026 (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com/news)
Insights: The USDA's July WASDE raised its 2026–27 global cotton production forecast to 117.26 million bales, with higher output in Brazil, the US and Türkiye lifting ending stocks slightly despite stronger consumption.
US cotton production was also revised higher to 13.70 million bales, increasing projected ending stocks, while the 2025–26 farm price was lowered to 62.5 cents per pound.
The global cotton outlook for the 2026–27 season improved slightly in the USDA's latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report of July 2026. Higher production in major producing countries more than offset lower beginning stocks, leading to a modest increase in global ending stocks despite stronger consumption. The revised outlook marks a shift from the tighter supply-demand balance projected in the June report.
According to the July 2026 WASDE, global cotton production is forecast at 117.26 million bales (480 pounds or 220 kg each), up from 116.04 million bales projected in June. Global consumption has also been revised up slightly to 121.95 million bales, compared with 121.76 million bales last month. World cotton trade remains virtually unchanged at 43.34 million bales, while total global supply is estimated at 192.98 million bales, up from 192.67 million bales in the previous outlook. Ending stocks for 2026–27 is now projected at 71.22 million bales, marginally higher than 71.13 million bales forecast in June.
The USDA attributed the production increase to larger crops expected in Brazil, the United States, Türkiye, and Central Asia. Consumption was revised slightly higher due to increased mill use in Vietnam, partly offset by a small reduction in Azerbaijan. As production growth outpaced the increase in consumption, global ending stocks rose marginally, resulting in a stocks-to-use ratio of 58.4 per cent.
For 2025–26, global cotton production was lowered by 750,000 bales, mainly due to a smaller crop in Brazil. World consumption was trimmed modestly to 119.95 million bales, as lower demand in Pakistan more than offset higher consumption in Vietnam. Global exports were raised by around 1 per cent, primarily on stronger shipments from Brazil, while ending stocks were reduced by about 900,000 bales, lowering the global stocks-to-use ratio to 63.1 per cent.
The US cotton balance sheet for 2026–27 shows higher production following an upward revision in planted area based on the June Acreage Report. US cotton production is now projected at 13.70 million bales, up from 13.30 million bales in June. Beginning stocks remain unchanged at 4.20 million bales, while exports are maintained at 12.30 million bales and domestic mill use at 1.60 million bales. Higher production is expected to lift ending stocks to 4.10 million bales, compared with 3.70 million bales in the previous forecast, resulting in an ending stocks-to-use ratio of 29.5 per cent. The projected season-average farm price remains unchanged at 73 cents per pound.
For 2025–26, there were no changes to the US cotton supply and demand balance sheet. However, the season-average farm price was lowered by 0.5 cent to 62.5 cents per pound.
