India's growing cotton import dependence calls for embracing technology and enabling policy reforms: Dr R.S. Paroda

New Delhi: Expressing serious concern over India's growing dependence on cotton imports, eminent agricultural scientist and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr R.S. Paroda today called for urgent technology and policy reforms to restore the country's global competitiveness in cotton production. He described the current situation as a significant setback for Indian cotton farmers and industry, noting that while cotton producing countries worldwide have rapidly adopted newer agricultural technologies and innovations, Indian cotton farmers have been deprived of the same GM technology for more than two decades. Dr. Paroda stressed that this prolonged technological stagnation has adversely affected productivity, competitiveness, and farmers' incomes, underscoring the need for a transparent, science-based regulatory framework. Reacting to the latest estimates released by the Cotton Association of India (CAI), Dr Paroda, Founder Chairman of the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) and former President of both the Indian Science Congress and the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, urged the Government to critically review the sector and adopt a long-term strategy centred on advanced biotechnology, science-based regulation, and innovation-led growth. According to the latest CAI estimates, cotton imports during the 2025–26 season are projected to reach 60 lakh bales, while exports are expected to decline sharply...