“White Gold: India’s Cotton Story” “From Seed to Shirt”

“White Gold: India’s Cotton Story” “From Seed to Shirt”: Cotton occupies a unique position in India’s agricultural and industrial economy. India is the only country cultivating all four recognised cotton species. It ranks first globally in acreage and second in production and consumption. Cotton production stood at 290.91 lakh bales in 2025-26 (provisional). Domestic consumption reached 328 lakh bales during the same period. The sector contributes nearly 19 percent of