The government has set a long-term target to increase domestic cotton lint production to 19 lakh bales by 2050 in an effort to reduce the country's dependence on imports and strengthen the local textile and apparel industry.

Bangladesh currently produces more than 2.24 lakh bales of cotton lint annually, meeting around 16-17 percent of the domestic textile sector's demand. Under the government's long-term roadmap, cotton lint production is expected to reach 5 lakh bales by 2030 before rising to 19 lakh bales by 2050.

Deputy Director of the Cotton Development Board (CDB) Kutub Uddin told BSS that the target would be achieved through the introduction of hybrid cotton varieties, expansion of cultivation areas and continued incentive support for farmers.

He said Bangladesh has considerable potential to increase cotton production by utilizing suitable land and improving productivity through modern farming technologies.

"If the production target is achieved, the country will be able to reduce its dependence on imported cotton and strengthen the supply chain of the textile industry," he said.

According to the CDB, cotton is currently cultivated on around 45,000 hectares of land across the country, although nearly 2 lakh hectares have the potential to be brought under cultivation. The government plans to expand cotton farming mainly in char lands, the Barind tract of Rajshahi and suitable plain lands in hilly areas that are not ideal for food crop production.

Officials said the strategy would increase cotton production without affecting food security.

Bangladesh's export-oriented readymade garment (RMG) industry requires around 90 lakh bales of raw cotton every year, making the country one of the world's largest cotton importers. To meet this demand, Bangladesh imports an estimated 75-80 lakh bales of cotton annually.

In the 2025-26 fiscal year, the country imported around 73 lakh bales of raw cotton at a cost of nearly Taka 45,000 crore, highlighting the importance of expanding domestic production.

CDB officials said increasing cotton lint production to 5 lakh bales by 2030 alone could reduce import dependence and save nearly Taka 800 crore annually in foreign exchange.

To achieve the production targets, the government has launched several initiatives, including providing incentives to cotton growers, bringing cotton farmers under the farmers' card programme and extending credit support through carbon trading initiatives.

Bangladesh currently ranks 40th among cotton-producing countries in the world, while India, China, the United States, Pakistan and Brazil dominate global cotton production.

Cotton is not only the principal raw material for the country's textile and clothing industry but also provides several valuable by-products. Cottonseed is processed into edible oil, while the seed cake is widely used as animal feed, adding further economic value to the crop.

Despite steady progress in production over the years, Bangladesh still faces a significant gap between domestic production and demand.

CDB Deputy Director Dr Md Tasdiqur Rahman said cotton cultivation faces several challenges, including limited policy attention, the crop's relatively long growing period, competition with other high-value crops, shrinking availability of suitable land, climate change, erratic rainfall, price volatility and insect pests.

He said overcoming these challenges would require stronger institutional support, modern technologies and continued government investment.

"The government has already taken several measures, including strengthening the Cotton Development Board, expanding infrastructure and promoting an environmentally friendly textile sector," he said.

He also stressed the need for further expansion of cotton-growing areas, organizational reforms within the CDB, greater policy support, price subsidies for cotton farmers and special agricultural loans to accelerate production.

As part of the government's support programme, Taka 20 crore has been allocated as incentives for cotton cultivation during the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Dr M Gazi Golam Mortuza, Soil Fertility and Water Management Expert of the Cotton Development Board, said around 25,000 marginal farmers in 26 districts will receive quality seeds, fertilizers and pesticides to cultivate cotton as an intercrop on one bigha of land.

"The incentive programme is intended to encourage farmers to cultivate more cotton by reducing their production costs and increasing profitability," he said.

Describing cotton as one of Bangladesh's most profitable cash crops, Dr Mortuza said the crop has become increasingly important following the decline of jute cultivation.

"There are very few crops that offer returns comparable to cotton. Encouraging farmers to cultivate cotton will increase their incomes while reducing the country's import bill," he added.

CDB Executive Director Md Rezaul Amin said cotton cultivation is economically attractive for farmers. According to him, producing cotton on one bigha of land costs around Taka 15,000, while farmers can earn nearly Taka 60,000 by harvesting around 15 maunds of raw cotton.

He also noted that every kilogram of domestically produced cotton saves the government about US$4 in import costs, making local production beneficial for both farmers and the national economy.

Cotton is generally sown from the middle of June and harvested in December. Scientists at the Cotton Development Board said the introduction of genetically modified cotton varieties, alongside improved seed technology and better farming practices, could significantly increase productivity and reduce dependence on imports.

They also pointed out that Bangladesh's geographical and climatic conditions are favourable for cotton cultivation. More than 32 districts, particularly in the southern, western, northern and central regions, have suitable conditions for growing upland and hill cotton.

Officials expressed optimism that with sustained government support, expanded cultivation, modern technologies and greater farmer participation, Bangladesh will be able to substantially increase domestic cotton production over the coming decades, reduce its reliance on imported raw cotton and strengthen the country's globally competitive textile and apparel industry.