Will Shivraj Chouhan Address the Cotton Crisis in Coimbatore?

Chennai, July 10 (NationPress) In a crucial effort to tackle the prevailing crisis in cotton farming, Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan is set to preside over a high-level meeting in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, on Friday.

The focus of the meeting will be on devising strategies to elevate cotton productivity, combat viral outbreaks, and guarantee the accessibility of high-quality seeds to farmers.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare noted that this meeting will convene a diverse array of stakeholders, including cotton farmers, scientists, agriculture ministers from cotton-producing states, senior government officials, cotton industry representatives, and agricultural universities.

“Cotton production in India has been on a steady decline, primarily due to the TSV virus impacting BT cotton,” Minister Chouhan expressed in a video message prior to the meeting.

He highlighted that the goal of the gathering is to facilitate an in-depth dialogue on enhancing productivity, minimizing input expenses, and creating high-quality, climate-resilient seed varieties.

“This meeting seeks to establish a practical and sustainable strategy for rejuvenating cotton cultivation in the nation,” he stated.

Chouhan reaffirmed the Centre’s unwavering commitment to improving farmer welfare. “We are resolute in our mission to boost cotton production and uplift the livelihoods of our cotton-growing community. The challenges we face can only be addressed through collective action,” he remarked.

To ensure broader participation and gather grassroots input, the Ministry has launched a toll-free helpline -- 1800 180 1551 -- inviting cotton farmers nationwide to contribute their suggestions, experiences, and concerns.

The minister assured that all feedback received via the helpline would be taken seriously and included in policy development. The meeting is scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m. on July 11 and is anticipated to see active involvement from senior officials, leading scientists, and policymakers, including the Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

In a heartfelt appeal to the farming community, Chouhan stated, “Together, we will overcome this challenge and revive cotton production in India. Your insights will help shape policies grounded in real-world challenges.”

The meeting in Coimbatore is viewed as a pivotal step toward restoring the vitality of India’s cotton sector and ensuring long-term sustainability for millions of farmers reliant on it.