Mission for Extra-Long Staple (ELS) Cotton Promotion

Learn about the Mission for Extra-Long Staple (ELS) Cotton Promotion, its goals, benefits, and how it aims to enhance cotton production, improve quality, and boost India’s global cotton industry.

Context: The Union Finance Minister has announced a five-year mission in the Union Budget to improve productivity, sustainability, and quality in cotton farming, with a focus on ELS cotton varieties.

About Extra-Long Staple (ELS) Cotton

It is a cotton variety with fibre lengths of 30 mm.
Origin: South America, grown in China, Egypt, Australia and Peru.
Quality: Produces premium fabric, softer, stronger and more durable.
Usage: Blended with medium staple cotton to enhance textile quality.
Key ELS types: Pima (USA), Peru (Israel), Giza (Egypt), Suvin & DCH-32 (India), Barakat (Sudan).
In India, it is grown in Atpadi taluka (Maharashtra’s Sangli district) and Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu).

Classification of Cotton by Staple Length

Cotton is categorized based on fibre length:
- Short Staple – Below 21 mm
- Medium Staple – 25 to 28.6 mm (96% of India’s cotton production)
- Long Staple – 29 mm and above
- Extra-Long Staple (ELS) – 30 mm and above

Why is ELS Cotton Not Grown in India?

Lower Yields: While medium staple cotton yields 10-12 quintals per acre, ELS cotton produces only 7-8 quintals.
Market Challenges: Farmers struggle to sell ELS cotton at premium prices due to weak market linkages.