Raichur MP G. Kumar Naik flags concerns over surge in cotton import, seeks stronger policy support for domestic growers

Raichur MP G. Kumar Naik urges stable policies to protect domestic cotton growers amid rising imports and declining production.

Expressing concern over the declining domestic cotton production and rising imports, G. Kumar Naik, Lok Sabha Member from Raichur, has urged the Union Government to adopt a stable and farmer-centric cotton policy to protect growers in Karnataka and across India.

Cotton imports into India increased by 39% in volume between 2020-21 and 2024-25 while domestic production declined sharply from 370 lakh bales in 2017-18 to 297.24 lakh bales in 2024-25, according to the data furnished by the Ministry of Textiles, the MP stated. | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

On February 11, Mr. Naik said the data furnished by the Ministry of Textiles, in response to his starred question in the Lok Sabha revealed a worrying trend. Cotton imports into India increased by 39% in volume between 2020-21 and 2024-25 while domestic production declined sharply from 370 lakh bales in 2017-18 to 297.24 lakh bales in 2024-25.

He said the simultaneous fall in production and productivity indicated ‘structural stress’ in the sector, and warned that policy inconsistency was undermining domestic farmers.

Mr. Naik pointed out that cotton prices crashed in 2025 after the government removed import duty on cotton at a time when the country was facing global tariff pressure. He noted that cotton exports from the United States to India surged by over 200% between 2023-24 and 2024-25 while imports from Brazil rose by more than 1,000% during the same period.

“India remains the world’s second-largest cotton producer after China, with Brazil close behind. Yet, we are increasingly depending on imports while our own farmers struggle with falling prices and rising input costs,” he said.