New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a five-year mission for cotton productivity, providing major relief for cotton farmers faced with lower productivity.

The mission will focus on the production of extra-long staple cotton varieties, aiming to enhance quality cotton and rejuvenate India's traditional textile sector, the minister said while presenting the Union Budget for FY26 on Saturday.

Increasing the production of long staple cotton is essential to make Kasturi Cotton a success. Kasturi Cotton is an initiative of the government, textile trade bodies and industry with the objective of creating premium value for cotton grown in India.

Mint reported on 26 January that a substantial increase in funding for...