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Farmers Shift to Maize and Cotton, Miss Out on Soybean Price Support SchemeIn a district of Madhya Pradesh, farmers are increasingly shifting away from soybean cultivation towards maize and cotton, resulting in limited participation in the state government’s price difference scheme.The scheme, designed for soybean farmers, compensates growers for the gap between the market price and the Minimum Support Price (MSP), with the difference directly credited to their bank accounts. However, registration on the e-Uparjan portal is mandatory to avail the benefits. So far, only around 2,500 hectares have been registered in the district, significantly restricting farmer participation.Data shows that maize dominates with nearly 100,000 hectares under cultivation, followed by cotton at 77,900 hectares, while soybean covers only 20,878 hectares. This imbalance means that a majority of farmers are unable to benefit from the scheme.Deputy Director of Agriculture K.C. Vaskel stated that the registration deadline for soybean was October 17. In total, 2,290 farmers registered 2,543.07 hectares. Registered farmers can sell their produce at mandis between October 24 and January 15. The MSP for soybean has been fixed at ₹5,328 per quintal.Meanwhile, cotton crops in the district are facing damage due to rising pink bollworm infestation. Farmers reported that untimely rains after crop maturity have worsened the situation, reducing yield quality and limiting harvesting to a single picking. This is likely to impact prices received by farmers.Farmers have demanded that maize and cotton also be included under the price difference scheme to expand its benefits. They pointed out that maize prices are currently ruling at ₹1,500–1,600 per quintal, which is significantly lower, and have called for an MSP of at least ₹2,500 per quintal to ensure fair returns.read more :- Kapas Kisan App: Sell your produce without waiting and get your desired slot

Kapas Kisan App: You can get your desired slot and sell your produce without waiting for your turn.Kapas Kisan App: Cotton procurement has already begun in North India on October 1st. It will begin in Central India on October 15th, and in South India on October 21st. However, cotton farmers are leveraging technology from the very beginning of this procurement season. 1.6 million farmers are already on the Cotton Corporation of India's Cotton Farmer App.From the very beginning of this procurement season, technology will ease the hassles of cotton farmers across the country. Of the 6 million cotton farmers in the country, 1.6 million are already on the Cotton Farmer App, developed by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), which will become the focal point for fiber procurement. This digital platform connects farmers to markets and the CCI, ensuring transparency and efficiency.The app will alleviate procurement problems.Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) Chairman and Managing Director L.K. Gupta told BusinessLine, an English newspaper, that starting this season, cotton farmers can book slots to sell their produce over the next seven days. They can bring their produce to the designated procurement center. Instead of waiting for their turn, they can simply choose the day to sell their produce. To register on the app, farmers will need to upload the required documents, including the area under cotton cultivation and their Aadhaar card. He said, "The information will then be sent to the respective state governments for verification of the data." He added that they can also check their payment status on the app.The total number of procurement centers has reached 550.The designated authority for procuring cotton at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) procured 50.5 million quintals of cotton last year, spending ₹37,500 crore. The MSP for the current year is ₹7,710 (for medium staples) and ₹8,110 (for long staples). L.K. Gupta stated that we have no target. Our job is to purchase all the cotton that arrives at the procurement centers. He added that procurement has already begun in North India on October 1st. It will begin in Central India on October 15th and in South India on October 21st. Referring to the extensive changes in the procurement process, he said that the corporation has opened 10 percent more centers this year, bringing the total number to 550.Cotton Acreage Reaches 79.54 Lakh HectaresCCI Chairman and Managing Director further stated that each procurement center has been mandated to have at least 3,000 hectares of cotton acreage and a ginning mill. In this process, we have closed some centers that did not meet the criteria and opened new centers. The cotton acreage in 2025-26 reached 79.54 lakh hectares, an increase from 78.58 lakh hectares in the previous year (2024-25). Maharashtra leads the cotton acreage with 30.79 lakh hectares, followed by Gujarat (14 lakh hectares), Telangana (12.42 lakh hectares), Rajasthan (6.02 lakh hectares), and Karnataka (4.67 lakh hectares). The Agricultural Market Intelligence Centre of Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU) has estimated the price between Rs 6,800-7,200 per quintal in September 2025.read more :- Eco-friendly cotton: World Cotton Day special

World Cotton Day: Know about different types of environmentally friendly cotton.Cotton is perhaps the most common plant used to make fabrics, and is considered to be of excellent quality. However, conventional cotton cultivation is detrimental to the environment due to its heavy reliance on water and the use of harmful chemicals, which contribute to soil degradation, water pollution, and climate change. On World Cotton Day, we talk about organic and sustainable cotton, which causes less harm to the environment.Organic cotton is grown with a low environmental impact, avoiding toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. Then, there is recycled cotton, which is produced from waste cotton materials, such as factory scraps (pre-consumer) and discarded clothes (post-consumer). These materials are then shredded, cleaned, and re-spun into new yarn to create fresh fabric. Kala cotton is also another type of sustainable cotton, which is grown in the region of Kutch in Gujarat. This unique, ancient, and purely organic variety of cotton is a rain-fed crop, meaning it relies solely on rainwater and is cultivated without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilisers.“Kandu cotton from Karnataka is naturally brown-coloured and is sustainably farmed, rain-fed, and pesticide-free, emphasising a connection to the earth. Ponduru cotton refers to a type of Khadi (handspun and handwoven cotton) produced in the village of Ponduru, Andhra Pradesh. It is made from a rare, indigenous, and organic short-staple hill cotton that requires no chemicals and is spun and woven by hand using traditional methods,” explains designer Shruti Sancheti.With a background in environmental studies, designer Drishti Modi of Lafaani tells us, “When I worked with cotton farmers in Andhra Pradesh for a project, I learned that kala cotton, kandu cotton, and ponduru are cotton varieties with the least environmental damage as they use less water for irrigation.”read more :- Relief to Telangana farmers: Kishan assures

Telengana :  Kishan Assures Full Cotton Procurement In TGHYDERABAD: Union minister for coal and mines G. Kishan Reddy has assured cotton farmers in Telangana that the Centre will procure every kilogram of cotton they produce, guaranteeing a smooth and transparent procurement process this season. Reddy said he had personally requested Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh to ensure that farmers do not face any inconvenience during procurement operations.Highlighting last year’s performance, he said the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) had procured nearly 80 per cent of Telangana’s total cotton output, reinforcing the Centre’s commitment to safeguarding cultivators even amid declining global prices. He emphasised that all payments will be credited directly to farmers’ bank accounts to eliminate middlemen and ensure transparency. To streamline operations, a new mobile app has been launched to allot time slots for farmers to bring their produce to ginning mills, reducing congestion and waiting time. Kishan Reddy urged the Telangana government to educate farmers on reducing moisture content in cotton and suggested using MGNREGA funds to build drying platforms to improve quality and prevent rejections.He pointed out that high-density cotton planting could potentially triple farmers’ income and questioned the state’s delay in adopting improved seed varieties recommended by the Centre. “Farmers should maintain moisture levels below 12 per cent. Produce with slightly higher moisture should not be rejected outright but handled with guidance,” he said. Reddy said the Centre had allocated sufficient funds, technology and infrastructure for operations across 122 procurement centres. “Modern moisture-measuring machines have been installed to ensure fair assessment,” he said, appealing to farmers not to sell their produce to private traders at lower prices.read more :- INR Opens Stronger by 02 Paise at 88.76

 Indian rupee opens 02 paise higher at 88.76/USD as Dollar Index easesIndian rupee opened at 88.76 per dollar on Wednesday versus previous close of 88.78.read more :- Rupee fell 06 paise to close at 88.78 per dollar

The Indian rupee slipped by 6 paise on Tuesday to close at 88.78 per US dollar, after opening the day at 88.72.Meanwhile, domestic equities ended slightly higher. Sensex rose 136.63 points, or 0.17%, to finish at 81,926.75, while Nifty 50 gained 30.65 points, or 0.12%, to close at 25,108.30. Market breadth was negative, with 1,780 stocks advancing, 2,204 declining, and 142 unchanged.read more :- Gujarat: Cotton production rises by 5 million bales under Modi's leadership

Gujarat: "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Gujarat cotton industry has grown by over 50 lakh bales," said Raghavji Patel.Gujarat Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel said that, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, the state's cotton sector has undergone remarkable transformation over the past two decades, a press release from the Chief Minister's Office stated.Raghavji Patel said, "Thanks to various initiatives under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the area under cotton cultivation in Gujarat has increased from 17.49 lakh hectares in 2001-02 to 23.71 lakh hectares by 2024-25.During this period, cotton production increased from 17 lakh bales to 71 lakh bales, while productivity increased from 165 kg lint per hectare to 512 kg lint per hectare.Describing cotton as one of the most essential needs of human life, Patel said that after food, clothing is of paramount importance, and cotton plays a vital role in fulfilling this need. The world celebrates October 7th as "World Cotton Day" to acknowledge its global importance.Cotton, often referred to as "white gold," has deep roots in Gujarat, which has been a progressive and leading state in cotton cultivation for decades.Gujarat's cotton sector holds great importance for both the state and the nation. When the state was formed in 1960, its cotton productivity was only 139 kilograms of lint per hectare; however, today it has increased to 512 kilograms of lint per hectare, exceeding the national average.These statistics clearly demonstrate that through research advancements, comprehensive development initiatives, farmer-oriented government policies, and the dedicated efforts of farmers, Gujarat has generated billions of rupees in revenue from cotton—a significant achievement for the economy of any state.Giving detailed information about cotton, Raghavji Patel explained that at the time of India's independence, while most textile mills were located in India, major cotton-producing regions became part of Pakistan. As a result, India faced a shortage of raw cotton and had to import it from other countries at a significant cost of foreign exchange.In 1971, following research at the Surat Research Farm, the Hybrid-4 (Shankar-4) cotton variety was developed, ushering in the hybrid cotton era across India. This led to a rapid and substantial increase in the country's cotton productivity. As a result, India not only met its domestic raw cotton needs but also began exporting the surplus. He further stated that in 2020-21, India recorded a historic cotton export of ₹17,914 crore.Gujarat currently ranks second in the country in terms of cotton cultivation area, production, and productivity. So far, cotton has been sown on 21.39 lakh hectares in the state for the 2025-26 season, with an estimated production of 73 lakh bales. The state contributes approximately 20 percent to India's total cotton cultivation and approximately 25 percent to total cotton production.The Minister expressed confidence that with the state government's various incentive schemes and continued efforts to develop cotton, Gujarat is poised to become the country's leading cotton production hub, contributing the largest share to India's total production.The Minister noted that even during the Bt cotton era, Gujarat was at the forefront in developing Bt hybrid varieties and obtaining their official approval across the country. Thanks to the state government's coordinated efforts, the first two Bt hybrid varieties in the public sector—Gujarat Cotton Hybrid-6 (Shankar-6) BG-II and Gujarat Cotton Hybrid-8 (Shankar-8) BG-II—received approval from the Government of India in 2012. Later, in 2015, two additional varieties were also approved. Bt hybrids – Gujarat Cotton Hybrid-10 (Shankar-10) BG-II and Gujarat Cotton Hybrid-12 (Shankar-12) BG-II – were developed, providing Gujarat farmers with four Bt cotton varieties for cultivation.The Minister highlighted that with the continued growth in the global population, the demand for cotton seeds for natural fibres, textiles, edible oils and animal feed is projected to increase 1.5 times by 2030 and double by 2040 compared to current levels. He stressed that by focusing on research, innovation and advanced solutions and achieving self-sufficiency in domestic production, Gujarat can significantly contribute to the Indian economy through cotton exports. (ANI)read more :- Cotton procurement to begin in Telangana this week

Telangana:CCI, ginning mills to begin cotton procurement this week.Hyderabad: Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Monday urged ginning mill representatives to participate in tenders promptly and start cotton purchases to prevent further disruptions. In a relief for farmers, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and ginning millers agreed to begin collecting cotton within the coming week.The minister held a meeting at the secretariat with representatives from the CCI, officials from the agriculture and marketing departments, and ginning millers to resolve the impasse over cotton procurement. He stressed the need for immediate action, emphasising that farmers should face no inconvenience.Concerns raised by ginning millers regarding CCI tender conditions, including lint percentage and slot booking requirements, were also discussed. Minister Tummala warned that any actions causing hardships for farmers would be unacceptable.He urged the CCI to conduct weekly reviews of the new regulations to quickly address issues and suggested that an independent agency verify and resolve challenges affecting ginning millers, ensuring both farmers' and mills' interests are protected.The agriculture department has been tasked with raising awareness about the mobile app and slot booking system, with initiatives already underway at the mandal level. The minister also called for cooperative efforts with CCI to smoothen the process and emphasised extensive publicity for a toll-free number to provide farmers with essential information.With these steps, the govt aims to kick-start cotton purchases swiftly, safeguard farmers' interests, and ensure seamless operations for ginning mills in the coming season.read more :- Rupee opened 07 paise higher at 88.72

Rupee Opens at 88.72, Up 07 PaisaIndian rupee opened higher at 88.72 per dollar on Tuesday against Monday's close of 88.79.read more  :- Rupee fell 05 paise to close at 88.79 per dollar

The Indian rupee on monday lower 05 paise to close at 88.79 per dollar, while it opened at 88.74 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was up 582.95 points or 0.72 percent at 81,790.12, and the Nifty was up 183.40 points or 0.74 percent at 25,077.65. About 1715 shares advanced, 2370 shares declined, and 154 shares unchanged.read more :-  Fatehabad: Cotton ruined due to rain, work stopped in the market

Rain damages cotton crop in Fatehabad: Cotton lies scattered on the ground; work in the market halts.Haryana : Strong winds and rain have damaged paddy and cotton crops in Fatehabad district. The cotton crop has been scattered on the ground.It is noteworthy that cotton harvesting is currently underway in the district. Farmers have begun bringing their produce to the grain market. However, the rain that occurred on Sunday night has again affected the crop.Cotton is planted on 20,000 hectares in the district. Cotton picking is also underway. Consequently, crop-related work in the fields has come to a halt.# Farmers say rain wasn't needed right nowFarmers Vinod Kumar, Anil Kumar, Mahendra Singh of village Dhangad, Rajesh Kumar, Amit Singh of village Baropal, etc., said that rain wasn't needed at this time. Everyone was busy harvesting and threshing the crop. Now, the rain has disrupted all work. Harvesting will only be possible after the crop dries. Crops stored in the open in the markets have also been soaked.# Deputy Director says a report will be collected from field staff today.Meanwhile, Dr. Rajesh Sihag, Deputy Director of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, said that a report on the extent of crop damage due to the rain will be collected from field staff today (Monday). The report will be prepared after that.read more :- Telangana cotton farmers face marketing crisis