The Andhra Pradesh government has called upon the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to purchase the entire cotton crop produced in the state and registered under the e-crop system. Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu and Textiles Minister S. Savitha announced this decision on Wednesday, emphasising the government’s commitment to increasing cotton cultivation and ensuring financial security for cotton farmers.
To address concerns about cotton quality and waste, the ministers held a meeting with ginning, spinning millers, agricultural experts, and officials. They discussed strategies to eliminate waste during the ginning process and improve prices for farmers. The ministers made it clear that the cess on cotton would only be removed if traders purchased cotton from farmers within the state.
Principal Secretary K. Sunitha highlighted that the decrease in cotton prices is primarily attributed to the presence of waste in the crop. Minister Savitha noted that cotton production in Andhra Pradesh has declined from 20.50 lakh bales in 2017-18 to 11.58 lakh bales in 2023-24, largely due to the use of plastic and gunny bags for cotton packing.
To improve cotton quality and reduce waste, the government is urging farmers to use cotton bags for collection and storage. Agriculture Minister Atchannaidu emphasised the importance of registering in the e-crop system, which will enable farmers to benefit from government schemes and ensure that their crops are purchased by CCI.
The government has also directed officials to study the practices of neighbouring states like Maharashtra and Telangana to learn from their successful strategies for increasing cotton yields and preventing waste. Additionally, the Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University has been tasked with developing improved techniques for higher cotton yields.
