Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. India’s cotton sector shows that agricultural productivity depends not only on missions and subsidies, but also on technology, innovation and regulatory clarity. Discuss in the context of the Mission for Cotton Productivity.
- Q. Infrastructure development is central to India’s economic growth, regional integration and ease of living. Discuss.
Q. India’s cotton sector shows that agricultural productivity depends not only on missions and subsidies, but also on technology, innovation and regulatory clarity. Discuss in the context of the Mission for Cotton Productivity.
(GS Paper III – Indian Economy, Agriculture, Biotechnology, Cropping Pattern, Food and Fibre Crop)
Introduction:
Agricultural productivity depends on a combination of public investment, technology, innovation, market incentives and regulatory clarity. The Mission for Cotton Productivity, approved with an outlay of ₹5,659 crore for 2026–31, aims to raise cotton lint productivity from 441 kg/ha to 755 kg/ha by 2031. However, India’s cotton experience shows that financial missions alone cannot succeed without access to modern seed technology and a supportive innovation ecosystem.
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Cotton and India’s Agricultural Economy
- Cotton is a major commercial fibre crop and supports millions of farmers.
- It is closely linked with the textile and garment industry, employment, exports and rural incomes.
- India has the world’s largest cotton-growing area, but its productivity remains low.
- India’s cotton yield is only 441 kg/ha, compared to Australia: 2,340 kg/ha, China: 2,311 kg/ha and Brazil: 1,943 kg/ha.
Role of Technology in Cotton Growth
- India’s cotton success after 2002 shows the importance of biotechnology.
- In 2002, commercial cultivation of Bt cotton was approved after clearance by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
- Bt cotton helped control bollworm infestation and improved farmer confidence.
- Cotton production increased from 13.6 million bales in 2002–03 to 39.8 million bales in 2013–14.
- Productivity increased from 302 kg/ha to 566 kg/ha during the same period.
- This shows that technology-led agriculture can improve production, productivity and farmer income.
Innovation Slowdown and Policy Constraints
- After Bollgard II, newer cotton technologies such as Bollgard II with Roundup Ready Flex and Bollgard III were developed but not commercialised in India.
- These technologies could have helped in:
- Better pest resistance
- Weed management
- Herbicide tolerance
- Lower labour cost
- Higher productivity
- However, policy uncertainty and price controls reduced incentives for private innovation.
- The Cotton Seed Price Control Order, 2015 reduced trait fees sharply.
- By 2020, trait fees were eliminated entirely.
- This weakened the commercial incentive for private companies to invest in advanced seed research.
Why Missions and Subsidies Are Not Enough
- Missions can provide funds, targets and administrative focus.
- Subsidies can reduce input costs for farmers.
- But productivity cannot rise sustainably without:
- Better seeds
- Scientific pest management
- Biotechnology access
- Climate-resilient varieties
- Strong extension services
- Regulatory predictability
- Without advanced technology, India may achieve limited gains but remain behind global competitors.
Regulatory Clarity as a Productivity Tool
- Seed innovation requires long-term investment in plant breeding, biotechnology and biosafety testing.
- Private firms need a predictable system to recover research costs.
- Public institutions need adequate funding to develop indigenous technologies.
- A transparent and science-based approval system under GEAC is necessary.
- Regulation should balance biosafety, farmer affordability and innovation incentives.
Way Forward
- Review seed price regulation to protect farmers without destroying innovation.
- Strengthen public sector R&D in cotton biotechnology.
- Promote indigenous seed technologies and climate-resilient cotton varieties.
- Encourage public-private partnerships in seed research.
- Ensure science-based and time-bound regulatory approvals.
- Improve extension services for pest control, soil health and irrigation.
- Link the mission with the needs of the textile value chain.
Conclusion:
The Mission for Cotton Productivity is timely and necessary, but its success depends on more than budgetary support. India’s cotton sector needs technology renewal, regulatory clarity, stronger R&D and farmer access to advanced seeds. A balanced policy that protects farmers while encouraging innovation can restore cotton competitiveness, strengthen rural incomes and support India’s textile economy.
Q. Infrastructure development is central to India’s economic growth, regional integration and ease of living. Discuss.
(GS Paper III – Infrastructure, Economic Development, Energy, Transport, Logistics, Digital Economy, Industrial Growth.)
Introduction:
Infrastructure is the backbone of economic development. It connects people, markets, industries and services. In India, public capital expenditure increased from about ₹2 lakh crore in FY2014–15 to ₹12.2 lakh crore in FY2026–27, showing the importance given to infrastructure-led growth. Roads, railways, airports, ports, water, housing, energy and digital networks are now central to India’s development strategy.
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Infrastructure and Economic Growth
- Better infrastructure reduces transport time, logistics cost and supply chain delays.
- PM Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy promote integrated and multimodal planning.
- India’s Logistics Performance Index rank improved from 54 in 2014 to 38 in 2023.
- Industrial corridors, plug-and-play industrial parks and logistics hubs support manufacturing, exports and investment.
- Improved ports, highways and freight systems help India integrate with global value chains.
Infrastructure and Regional Integration
- Roads, railways, airports and waterways connect remote, border and backward regions with national markets.
- PMGSY improved rural connectivity by linking eligible habitations with all-weather roads.
- Projects such as Atal Tunnel, Chenab Bridge, Dhola-Sadiya Bridge and Bairabi–Sairang railway line improve access in difficult terrains.
- UDAN has expanded regional air connectivity and brought smaller cities into the aviation network.
- Such projects strengthen national integration, tourism, local livelihoods and strategic mobility.
Infrastructure and Ease of Living
- Infrastructure directly improves quality of life.
- Jal Jeevan Mission expanded rural tap water access.
- PMAY improved housing security for urban and rural households.
- Saubhagya expanded household electrification.
- PM Ujjwala Yojana improved access to clean cooking fuel.
- Digital infrastructure such as Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, CSCs, BharatNet and PM-WANI has improved financial inclusion and citizen service delivery.
Challenges
- Land acquisition delays slow down project execution.
- Environmental concerns arise in fragile regions.
- Cost overruns and time delays affect efficiency.
- Regional imbalance in infrastructure access remains a concern.
- Maintenance of large infrastructure assets needs stronger attention.
- Digital divide and affordability issues can limit inclusive benefits.
Way Forward
- Strengthen integrated planning through PM Gati Shakti.
- Promote sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Improve last-mile connectivity in rural, tribal and border areas.
- Ensure better maintenance and life-cycle management of assets.
- Link infrastructure with employment, exports and inclusive development.
Conclusion:
Infrastructure development is essential for India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047. The next phase must focus on sustainability, affordability, safety and regional balance so that infrastructure becomes a tool of economic growth, social justice and national integration.
