India’s Cotton Crisis: 5 Shocking Reasons Behind Its Fall from Global Dominance

India was once a global leader in cotton production, but in recent years, it has fallen behind due to restrictions on new farming technologies. From 2002 to 2014, advancements in hybrid and genetically modified (GM) Bt cotton helped the country nearly triple its production, making it the top global producer and a major exporter. However, policy changes halted further innovation, with regulatory hurdles blocking the introduction of new GM crops. Activist-driven opposition and government restrictions led to stagnation in cotton yields, while pests like the pink bollworm further damaged production.

By 2024-25, India’s cotton output dropped to its lowest level since 2008-09, and imports surged while exports declined. Ironically, while domestic GM crops remain restricted, India has allowed the import of GM soymeal and could soon permit GM corn. This policy inconsistency hurts Indian farmers, who are denied access to better-performing seeds while foreign producers benefit. Without embracing scientific advancements, India risks losing its competitive edge in cotton permanently.

India’s Cotton Crisis: 5 Shocking Reasons Behind Its Fall from Global Dominance

India’s journey in the cotton industry is a story of remarkable highs and troubling lows. Once the world’s top cotton producer, the country now faces a sharp decline, largely due to outdated farming practices and resistance to modern technology. This shift has turned India into a net importer of cotton—a crop it dominated globally just a decade ago. Let’s explore how this happened.

The Golden Era: How India Became a Cotton Powerhouse

Between 2002 and 2014, India’s cotton production nearly tripled, transforming the nation into an agricultural success story. This boom was fueled by two key innovations: hybrid cotton varieties and genetically modified (GM) crops. Scientists like C.T. Patel and B.H. Katarki developed hybrid seeds that dramatically increased yields. Then came the real game-changer—Bt cotton. Introduced in the early 2000s, this GM variety was engineered to resist pests like the destructive American bollworm. Farmers saw their crops thrive, with fewer losses to insects and higher productivity. By 2013-14, India had climbed to the top of global cotton production, supplying over 40 million bales annually. Exports soared, and the sector became a pillar of the rural economy.

The Downfall: Policy Stagnation and Rejection of Science

The decline began when India’s policymakers started turning their backs on GM technology. In 2010, the government halted the commercialization of GM Bt brinjal (eggplant) amid public protests and political debates. Over time, this skepticism spread to other crops. Field trials for new GM varieties were blocked, and regulatory approvals became tangled in legal battles and bureaucratic delays. Activists and courts, rather than scientists, began driving decisions about agricultural technology.

This resistance had dire consequences. Bt cotton, which once shielded crops from pests, lost its effectiveness as insects like the pink bollworm evolved resistance. Without updated GM technologies or alternative solutions, farmers struggled to protect their fields. Yields began dropping, and production costs soared as they relied on expensive pesticides. By 2024-25, India’s cotton output had plummeted to less than 30 million bales—the lowest since 2008-09.

The Ripple Effects: Falling Exports, Rising Dependence

As India’s cotton sector faltered, global competitors surged ahead. Countries like the U.S., Brazil, and Australia adopted advanced farming technologies, including newer GM seeds and precision agriculture. Their yields improved, and they captured larger shares of the global market. Meanwhile, India’s cotton exports dropped sharply. Between April 2023 and January 2025, the value of cotton imports doubled, while exports fell by over 30%. Farmers, already grappling with climate challenges and debt, found themselves trapped—unable to access better seeds yet forced to compete with cheaper, high-quality foreign cotton.

A Baffling Double Standard: Blocking GM at Home, Accepting It Abroad

The situation is laced with irony. While Indian farmers are barred from using newer GM cotton seeds, the government permits imports of GM products like soymeal and is considering allowing GM corn. This contradiction raises a critical question: If GM crops are deemed unsafe for Indian agriculture, why are GM food imports allowed? Critics argue that this double standard undermines farmers’ competitiveness. Foreign GM crops enter Indian markets, but local growers cannot use the same technology to boost their own productivity.

The Path Forward: Embracing Science or Risking Collapse

India’s cotton crisis is self-inflicted. The rejection of scientific innovation—driven by fear rather than evidence—has left farmers stranded in the past. While the rest of the world adopts climate-resilient seeds, drone-based pest control, and data-driven farming, India’s policies cling to outdated methods. The result is a sector in decline, with shrinking profits and growing dependence on imports.

To regain its position, India needs a policy overhaul. This includes revamping approval processes for GM crops, investing in research for pest-resistant varieties, and empowering farmers with choices. Without embracing technology, the cotton industry—and the millions relying on it—will continue to suffer. The lesson is clear: Progress cannot thrive where science is stifled. For India, the time to decide is now—adapt or risk losing its cotton legacy forever.