Farmers across Telangana, who had cultivated cotton during the Kharif season, are facing significant distress due to the non-procurement of their produce by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).
K.T. Rama Rao, working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has highlighted the plight of these farmers. He stated that not only are they not receiving the promised support price of ₹7,521 per quintal for long staple cotton and ₹7,121 for medium staple, but also the additional ₹500 per quintal bonus promised by the Congress party before the Assembly elections.
The CCI has cited high moisture content in the cotton as a reason for halting procurement. However, Mr. Rao questioned the government’s silence on the issue, considering cotton’s significance as the second largest Kharif crop after paddy.
He further accused the government of betraying farmers regarding the paddy bonus, which was announced only for fine varieties with certain conditions, contrary to the pre-election promise of a bonus for all varieties.
With nearly 44 lakh acres under cotton cultivation and an estimated production of 35 lakh tonnes, the non-procurement crisis has serious implications for the state’s farmers.
