Cotton farmers in Telangana are grappling with a severe crisis as market prices for the commodity have plummeted below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This, coupled with excessive moisture content in the crop due to recent heavy rains, has left farmers in a precarious financial situation.
The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), the agency overseeing cotton’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations, has cited high moisture content in the crop as the primary reason for the recent price decline. This issue is particularly pronounced in states such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Farmers in Warangal district, like Lakshan Reddy (name changed), have expressed frustration over the significant price reduction imposed by the markets.
The incessant rain and floods in October have further compounded the problem, leaving farmers with wet cotton bolls. In many cases, the harvested cotton has become damp or even drenched, leading to a sharp increase in moisture content. The CCI has emphasised that the ideal moisture content for cotton is between 8-12%, and any deviation from this range makes it difficult to accept the produce.
Despite the challenges, the arrival of cotton in the market yards has been slow due to the festive season. As of Monday, the country’s cotton yards have received a total of 12 lakh bales for the current season, including a recent addition of 90,000 bales.
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has urged the Textile Minister, Giriraj Singh, to instruct the CCI to procure cotton with up to 18% moisture content. This move could provide much-needed relief to farmers ahead of the Diwali festival.
The BRS, the opposition party in Telangana, has accused the state government of neglecting cotton farmers and failing to ensure remunerative prices. The party has also criticised the government’s promise of a ₹500 per quintal bonus, which has not materialised.
Amidst the crisis, farmers are being advised to dry their harvested cotton before selling it. However, many are still receiving prices significantly below the MSP, with some reporting prices as low as ₹6,000-6,500 per quintal. This stark contrast between the government’s stated intentions and the farmers’ reality is causing widespread distress among the farming community.
