On May 27, 2025, Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, chaired the Textile Advisory Group (TAG) meeting on Cotton and Man-Made Fibres (MMF) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The meeting, attended by Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles, and Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Textiles, focused on strengthening the textile value chain to achieve a $350 billion industry target by 2030. The discussions emphasized innovation, sustainability, and collaboration to enhance India’s global competitiveness in the textile sector.
Shri Giriraj Singh highlighted the Mission for Cotton Productivity, a key initiative to improve cotton productivity and quality. Aligning with the Prime Minister’s 5F vision (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign), the mission aims to boost farm productivity and ensure benefits across the textile value chain. The Minister stressed the importance of data mapping for data-driven policy interventions and called for a comprehensive gap analysis to address demand-supply mismatches in the industry. He also emphasized integration, innovation, scale, and speed as pillars for achieving export growth.
The meeting explored alternative fibres, with milkweed identified as a promising source of income for farmers and fibre for industry. Known for its excellent physical and thermal properties, milkweed could enhance sustainability in textile production. Shri Pabitra Margherita urged stakeholders to adopt sustainable farming practices to increase value returns for farmers and ensure a steady supply of high-quality cotton through advanced technology and processing practices.
Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Textiles, emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to strengthen the textile value chain. She urged industry leaders to develop a comprehensive roadmap that integrates the value chain and adopts advanced technologies. Industry representatives welcomed the government’s proactive stance, particularly its focus on technology adoption, sustainable fibres, and farmer-industry partnerships. The meeting saw participation from senior officials of the Ministries of Textiles, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Commerce and Industry, as well as the Textile Commissioner, Textiles Committee, Research Institutes, and Industry Associations.The TAG meeting underscores India’s commitment to transforming its textile industry into a global leader by 2030. By focusing on cotton productivity, sustainable fibres like milkweed, and technological innovation, the government aims to enhance export competitiveness and support farmers and MSMEs. The emphasis on data-driven policies and value chain integration aligns with national initiatives like Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, positioning India as a hub for sustainable textile production.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Textile Advisory Group (TAG) Meeting on Cotton and MMF |
| Date | May 27, 2025 |
| Key Figures | Shri Giriraj Singh, Shri Pabitra Margherita, Smt. Neelam Shami Rao |
| Venue | Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi |
| Key Initiative | Mission for Cotton Productivity |
| Target | $350 billion textile industry by 2030 |
| Focus Areas | Cotton productivity, sustainable fibres (milkweed), technology adoption, value chain integration |
| Significance | Aligns with Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and 5F vision |