23/07/2025
# The Importance of Kalahandi District in Cotton Production and the Need for a Textile Park
# # Introduction
Kalahandi district, once infamous for drought and poverty, has emerged as a **powerhouse of cotton cultivation** in Odisha. Despite this agricultural transformation, the region still faces a severe **migrant labour problem**, aggravated by the absence of textile processing infrastructure. This letter seeks to highlight the strategic role of Kalahandi in Odisha's cotton economy and the urgent policy need for a textile park to foster local value addition and generate sustainable employment.
# # Kalahandi’s Role in Cotton Production
# # # Cotton Cultivation Landscape
- Kalahandi is consistently recognized as the **leading cotton-growing district** in Odisha, accounting for around *35-40% of the state’s total cotton area and production*
- In recent years, cotton was cultivated over roughly *60,000 hectares* of land in Kalahandi, with a production exceeding *7 lakh quintals* during peak years.
- The district’s major cotton-producing blocks include *Bhawanipatna, Kesinga, Golamunda, Narla, Karlamunda, and Lanjigarh*
- Cotton from Kalahandi is valued not only within India but is also exported to neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh due to its high quality.
# # # # Cotton Production Share (2018-19):
| District | Area (‘000 ha) | Production (‘000 MT) | Production Share (%) |
|-------------|:--------------:|:--------------------:|:--------------------:|
| Kalahandi | 58.4 | 168.0 | ~37% |
| Balangir | 44.0 | 128.0 | ~28%
| Rayagada | 35.2 | 101.0 | ~22% |
| Odisha Total| 158.0 | 455.0 | 100% |
*Data: 2018-19; area and production rounded for clarity.*
# # # Socioeconomic Importance
- Cotton has replaced less remunerative traditional crops, making it a crucial **cash crop for thousands of small and marginal farmers** in Kalahandi.
- The district’s cotton is typically grown organically, increasing its demand nationally and internationally.
- This sector offers immense **potential for rural development and poverty alleviation** if local value addition is promoted.
# # The Absence of Textile Parks: A Missed Opportunity
# # # Status of Textile Infrastructure
- Despite its prominence in cotton production, *there is no dedicated textile park or large-scale textile processing unit in Kalahandi*
- Major textile development initiatives in Odisha—such as the proposed mega textile park sites and project launches—are *concentrated in coastal or central districts like Cuttack and Dhenkanal*, bypassing Kalahandi and the broader KBK region.
# # # Impact on Migration and Labour
- Lack of local processing units compels farmers to sell raw cotton outside the district or state, resulting in *no local value addition and stagnant local job creation*.
- The limited industrial footprint means there are **few alternatives for local employment**, leading to persistent seasonal and distress *migration*—especially among landless and marginalized communities—to distant states for work in brick kilns, construction, and textiles.
- Migrant workers from Kalahandi face *exploitation, poor working conditions, and disruption of family and community life** at their destinations.
# # The Case for Establishing a Textile Park in Kalahandi
# # # Potential Benefits
- **Value Addition**: Processing, spinning, and textile-manufacturing activities would capture more value within Kalahandi, benefitting both cotton growers and youth.
- **Employment Generation**: A single textile park can create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, substantially **reducing distress outmigration**.
- **Skill Development**: Local training centres within the park can upgrade labour skills, making the workforce globally competitive.
- **Women’s Empowerment**: The textile sector traditionally offers large-scale employment opportunities for women, empowering families and communities.
- **Boost to Exports**: With a textile park, Kalahandi’s high-quality cotton could be transformed into finished goods, increasing export potential and the district’s income.
# # # Policy Alignment
- The Government of India’s PM MITRA scheme supports the creation of world-class textile parks in cotton-rich regions, aiming for holistic industry-led rural development[8].
- Including Kalahandi in such plans is justified by its substantial **contribution to Odisha’s cotton output**.
# # Conclusion and Request
Kalahandi’s transformation into a cotton hub is a testament to the resilience of its farmers and the district's agricultural potential. However, the **absence of textile parks has denied local people the opportunity to participate in, and benefit from, the cotton value chain**. **Establishing a textile park in Kalahandi will address both economic inefficiency and the chronic issue of migrant labour** by creating sustainable, local livelihoods.
**This is a momentous opportunity to ensure the district’s progress aligns with the vision of “Vocal for Local,” rural upliftment, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.**
It is thus earnestly requested that the Government of India:
- Consider Kalahandi for a dedicated textile park or integrated textile cluster under PM MITRA and related schemes.
- Prioritize investment in local value addition, skill development, and employment generation infrastructures for the region.
- Ensure that the economic gains of Odisha’s cotton sector are shared equitably with those who contribute the most—**the farmers and workers of Kalahandi**.
*This appeal recognizes Kalahandi’s centrality to Odisha’s cotton story and seeks a policy response that is both just and visionary.*
