Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday, announced that a crucial crop-specific meeting focused on cotton will be held in Coimbatore on July 11, 2025. The announcement came via a video message in which the minister addressed cotton farmers directly, expressing serious concern over declining productivity levels and the recent impact of the TSV virus on BT cotton.
In his message, Union Minister Chouhan acknowledged that cotton farmers across the country are facing acute distress as yields continue to drop. “The productivity of cotton in our country is currently quite low. In recent times, the situation has worsened due to the TSV virus affecting BT cotton,” he said.
The minister stressed that the government is committed to finding long-term solutions by focusing on climate-resilient and virus-resistant seed varieties. “We aim to increase production while reducing input costs for farmers. For this, it’s important to develop high-quality seeds that can withstand such challenges,” he added.
The Coimbatore meeting will bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of cotton-growing farmers, farmer organisations, leading agricultural scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the ICAR Director General, agriculture ministers from major cotton-producing states, officials from state governments, industry representatives, and experts from agricultural universities.
In a move to ensure farmers have a say in the decision-making process, Chouhan invited cotton growers across India to share their suggestions ahead of the meeting. “You can call on our toll-free number 18001801551. I will consider your suggestions with full seriousness,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the importance of collaborative action in improving both the yield and quality of cotton in the country.
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