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Asifabad farmers are having a lot of trouble getting ready and harvesting the mature cotton cropTelangana : While the cotton crop is ready for harvesting, going to the fields to cut the cotton ears has become a risky job as more than one tiger is lurkingKumram Bheem Asifabad: Cotton cultivating farmers in several villages of the district are in a do or die situation. While their cotton crop is ready for harvesting, going to the fields to cut the cotton ears has become a risky job as more than one tiger is lurking. A woman has already lost her life in a tiger attack while another farmer is still hospitalised as he had a narrow escape from the jaws of a big cat.In the winter season, cotton farmers hope to earn a lot of money by harvesting their grown commercial crop but they have to face several hurdles and take loans at exorbitant interest rates. They grow the crop by working day and night for four months. To grow and protect the crop, they have to face health problems due to spraying of toxic pesticides, heavy rains and cold weather.If the cotton crop, considered as 'white gold', is not harvested in the months of November and December, farmers cannot survive. They have to sell the produce to the trader and repay the loan. They have to invest the earnings and rent out the fields for another season. They have to keep money ready for many needs of themselves and their family members in a year.K Narayan, a farmer from Sirpur (T), said, "Farmers have a lot of expectations from the cotton crop. They use the profits from cotton cultivation for the education and marriage of their children, buying essential items, buying jewelry for their wives, medical services and other emergencies. For them, the barns are a part of their lives."However, harvesting cotton crop is now fraught with danger for farmers as tiger movement has increased and some of the big cats are attacking them. Still, they are forced to risk their lives to collect cotton balls even as forest officials advise them not to go to the fields to harvest cotton in view of the possibility of tiger attacks."Despite repeated warnings, cotton producing farmers are reaching the fields at 8 am. They are not showing interest in leaving the fields even though field staff is explaining to them the consequences of their work. We are in a helpless situation," said an official who flew a drone camera to monitor the movements of the tiger that killed Morale Laxmi (21) at Isgaon village in Kagaznagar mandal on Friday. According to officials, tigers are increasingly roaming the fields in search of mates and territory for breeding in winter. They consider cotton fields as their hideout. If a person bends down to pick up a ball, they pounce on him thinking he is prey.

This evening, the rupee gained 1 paisa against the dollar, closing at 84.69The BSE benchmark Sensex jumped 597.67 points or 0.74 per cent to close at 80,845.75. During the day's trade, it rose 701.02 points or 0.87 per cent to 80,949.10.The NSE Nifty rose 181.10 points or 0.75 per cent to 24,457.15.Read More :-  Cotton Farmers Anticipate Better Prices with New Government in Place

In early trading, the rupee falls to a record low of 84.76 against the US dollar.BSE Sensex was up 231 points, or 0.29 per cent, at 80,479.05Benchmark Indian equity indices BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 were trading higher on Tuesday, amid firm global cues.At 10 AM, the BSE Sensex was up 231 points, or 0.29 per cent, at 80,479.05, while the Nifty 50 was at 24,336, higher by 60 points, or 0.25 per centRead More :> Cotton Farmers Anticipate Better Prices with New Government in Place

The Indian rupee on Monday closed at a new record low of 84.70 per dollar, down 21 paise from Friday's close of 84.49.The BSE benchmark Sensex closed 445.29 points, or 0.56 per cent, higher at 80,248.08. The Nifty 50 opened flat and after initial volatility turned positive to close at 24,276.05, up 144.95 points, or 0.60 per cent.Read more:-  Cotton Farmers Anticipate Better Prices with New Government in Place

Cotton Growers Hope for Higher Prices Under the New AdministrationNagpur While the recent crash in soybean prices did not significantly impact rural votes for the Mahayuti alliance, cotton farmers are now looking to the new government for relief. Many growers are holding back their cotton harvest, opting not to sell even at the government's Minimum Support Price (MSP) centers, in anticipation of a potential bonus announcement once the new cabinet assumes office.  The BJP's election promise to raise soybean MSP from the current ₹4,892 to ₹6,000 has fueled hopes of similar measures for cotton, though no formal announcement has been made.  Beyond political assurances, farmers are also banking on practical factors such as reduced national cotton yields and rising global prices. Currently, cotton has an MSP of ₹7,521 per quintal, while private market rates hover between ₹7,000 and ₹7,200. Farmers hope that government intervention, possibly through a bonus declaration during the winter session of the legislature, could push prices to at least ₹8,000 per quintal.  MSP is designed to stabilize prices when market rates fall, often prompting private traders to align their offers with the government-set baseline. However, many farmers feel the current MSP does not ensure a reasonable profit margin.  At Pandharkawda, cotton grower Gajanan Singedwar shared his perspective: "Yes, the hope for government aid is definitely a key reason why I’m not selling cotton, even at MSP centers."  As the new government prepares to take charge, farmers await decisions that could significantly impact their earnings and livelihoods.Read More :> Dr.Chandrasekhar Pemmasani Calls on CCI to Ensure Cotton Procurement from Farmers

In early trading, the rupee bounces back from its lowest point ever and climbs 2 paise to 84.58 versus the US dollar.Sensex, Nifty open in the redSensex, Nifty, Share Prices LIVE: Contrary to market expectations, the benchmark indices opened in the red on Monday. Sensex sank 321.26 points or 0.40 per cent to trade at 79,481.53 as at 9.16 am, and Nifty 50 declined 76.60 points or 0.32 per cent to 24,054.50 

This evening, the rupee gained 1 paisa against the dollar, closing at 84.48The BSE Sensex closed 759 points higher at 79,803, while the NSE Nifty climbed 217 points to close above the 24,100 mark at 24,131. The broader markets, however, underperformed, with the midcap index gaining marginally 92 points to close at 56,393.Read More :- Cotton Farmers in Telangana Struggle with Low Yields and Poor Returns

Early trading sees the rupee drop to 84.49 versus the US dollar.Sensex up 216.18 points; Nifty climbs 78.6 pointsEquity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty surrendered early gains to plunge nearly 1.50 per cent on Thursday, weighed down by intense selling in market heavyweights Infosys, RIL and HDFC Bank amid a mixed trend in global equities.Read More :>Cotton Farmers in Telangana Struggle with Low Yields and Poor Returns

This evening, the rupee fell 4 paise to settle at 84.49 versus the US dollarAt the close, the BSE Sensex was down 1,190.34 points, or 1.48 per cent, at 79,043.74, and the Nifty was down 360.70 points, or 1.49 per cent, at 23,914.20. Traders did not give any clear reason for the fall, except that trades were liquidated in a hurry ahead of the expiry of derivatives today.Read More :- Cotton Farmers in Telangana Struggle with Low Yields and Poor Returns

Telangana Cotton Farmers Face Poor Returns and Low YieldsPink Bollworm Infestation and Unseasonal Rains Add to WoesCotton farmers in Telangana are grappling with multiple challenges this season, from declining yields to poor returns on their produce. Late-season rains not only damaged the crop but also increased moisture levels, reducing the quality and market value.  Yields have fallen drastically, dropping from an average of 8-10 quintals per acre to just 3-4 quintals. "We are not happy. The pink bollworm attack brought down yields, and unseasonal rains further damaged the crop. I managed only 4-5 quintals across two acres," said a farmer from Mahboobabad district.  The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has procured around 43 lakh quintals of cotton so far, offering an average price of ₹7,400 per quintal. Procurement began slowly this season due to high moisture content and delays during the festive season but gained momentum after Diwali as farmers started bringing their produce to CCI centers.  Farmers Face Reduced Incomes and Labor Shortages Despite procurement by CCI, many farmers feel shortchanged. Raji Reddy, a farmer from Jangaon district, noted that millers were deducting 4-5 kg per quintal citing damage, further reducing their earnings. Additionally, farmers are struggling to find labor for the second picking of the crop, compounding their difficulties.  Political Spotlight on Cotton Prices  The issue has drawn political attention, with the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) alleging that farmers are being paid only ₹6,500 per quintal, despite the Minimum Support Price (MSP) being set at ₹7,500. BRS leader T. Harish Rao recently visited the Khammam market yard, demanding that the CCI establish procurement centers there.  "The middlemen are exploiting farmers by buying cotton at ₹6,500 and selling it to CCI at ₹7,500," Harish Rao alleged.  In response, the Telangana Rythu Sangham has called for the government to announce a bonus of ₹475 per quintal to support struggling farmers. The association held a state-level meeting in Warangal to address the issues plaguing cotton growers.CCI's Appeal to Farmers  To streamline the process, the CCI has urged farmers to use its 'Cott-Ally' app or website to locate the nearest procurement centers, check MSP details, and register grievances. “We appeal to farmers not to sell their produce below the MSP. Our procurement operations will continue as long as cotton lots arrive,” said the CCI branch head in Warangal.  While the CCI is the primary buyer, private traders currently play a limited role. A local trader, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted, "The bulk of the procurement is being handled by the CCI."  With falling yields, pricing disputes, and labor shortages, Telangana's cotton farmers find themselves at a crossroads, calling for urgent support from the government and industry stakeholders to secure their livelihoods.Read More :> Dr.Chandrasekhar Pemmasani Calls on CCI to Ensure Cotton Procurement from Farmers

In early trading, the rupee drops 6 paise to 84.46 versus the US dollar.The rupee fell sharply by 15 paise against the US dollar to 83.44 in early trade on Wednesday amid muted trends in the domestic equity markets.BSE Sensex was above 80,250, Nifty50 was above 24,250BSE Sensex and Nifty50, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in green on Thursday. While BSE Sensex was above 80,250, Nifty50 was above 24,250. At 9:17 AM, BSE Sensex was trading at 80,264.71, up 31 points or 0.038%. Nifty50 was at 24,277.25, up 2 points or 0.0097%.Read More :> Dr.Chandrasekhar Pemmasani appelle le CCI à garantir l'achat de coton des agriculteurs.