Farmers' associations in Telangana have urged the Central Government to fix the price of cotton at Rs 12,000 per quintal, citing rising cultivation costs and inadequate rainfall. The Warangal District Committee of the Telangana Rythu Sangham submitted a memorandum to the General Manager of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) in Warangal on Tuesday, according to Telangana Today.
Key points
- The Telangana Rythu Sangham wants cotton priced at Rs 12,000 per quintal.
- It has asked CCI to procure on a commercial basis when market prices are above the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
- The group alleged that private traders pay less for part of the produce, citing moisture and quality.
- It also sought a transparent auction system in markets.
What the farmers are asking for
Apart from the Rs 12,000 price, the association demanded an investigation into complaints of unfair price reductions. It also asked for action against anyone involved in irregularities or violations of procurement rules.
The group further called for a transparent auction system in markets, so that every cotton farmer gets a fair price. It wants CCI to buy cotton on a commercial basis whenever market prices go above the MSP.
Poor yields and alleged exploitation
Telangana Rythu Sangham State Convener Somidi Srinivas said unfavourable weather and inadequate rainfall this year had cut cotton yields sharply. Farmers had invested heavily in cultivation, he said, but were now finding it hard to recover even their initial spending.
Srinivas noted that private traders were offering prices above the MSP. However, he alleged that this benefit was limited. According to him, traders pay higher rates for only a portion of a farmer's produce and buy the rest at Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 less per quintal, citing moisture content and quality issues.
"Why is the CCI not procuring cotton on a commercial basis when market prices are higher than the MSP?" Srinivas asked.
Why it matters
For cotton growers, a lower yield combined with high input costs can make it difficult to earn a profit. The association says that if CCI does not buy when market prices are high, farmers are left to depend on private traders, who may reduce prices on grounds such as moisture or quality. The claims about traders are allegations made by the farmers' group, and the report does not carry a response from traders or CCI.
What next
The Telangana Rythu Sangham has urged the Central Government to step in immediately and protect cotton farmers from alleged exploitation by private traders. The source does not say how the Centre or CCI has responded to the memorandum.
