Cotton is natural, versatile and trendy and over years the cotton industry in India has flourished. The country has achieved significant quantitative increase in cotton production. Till 1970s, country used to import massive quantities of cotton in the range of 8.00 to 9.00 lakh bales per annum. With the launch of "intensive cotton production programmes" by increasing the area of land under production and introducing hybrid varieites, the cotton production in India recieved the necessary impetus. The country became self sufficient in cotton with few exceptions in late 90s when when large quantities of cotton had to be imported due to the increase in domestic demands.

Since launch of "Technology Mission on Cotton" by Government of India in February 2000 significant achievements have been made in increasing yield and production through development of high yielding varieties, appropriate transfer of technology, better farm management practices, increased area under cultivation of Bt cotton hybrids etc. All these developments have resulted into a turn around in cotton production in the country since last 2/3 years. The yield per hectare which has remained stagnant at about 300 kg/ha for more than 10 years, increased to 399 kg/ha in cotton season 2003-04 and to 463 kg/ha in cotton season 2004-05.

The revolution brought about in the cotton industry in India has the potential to take the current productivity level near to the world average cotton production per hectare in the near future. After meeting the domestic demands, the country will have sufficient cotton to meet the requirements of importing countries.

The yield of cotton in the last decade has increased from 330 kgs per hectare in 96-97 to 501 kgs per hectare in the year 06-07.