Andhra Pradesh seeks Centre's help for cyclone-hit cotton farmers
By yash chouhan 2025-11-07 11:47:13
Andhra Pradesh seeks central assistance for cyclone-affected cotton farmers
Vijayawada: Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu has urged the central government to take immediate steps to assist cotton farmers affected by Cyclone Montha, which has caused massive crop damage across the state.
In a letter to Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday, Atchannaidu stated that cotton was cultivated on over 4.56 lakh hectares during the 2025-26 Kharif season, with an estimated production of 8 lakh metric tons. However, due to severe weather damage, farmers have been forced to sell their produce below the minimum support price (MSP). The minister informed that cotton procurement in Andhra Pradesh is being done through a completely digital system, using the CM App and the Aadhaar-based e-Harvest mechanism. However, after integrating the centrally launched Cotton Farmer App with the state platform, several technical glitches have emerged, delaying operations and causing inconvenience to farmers.
Achannaidu requested the Union Minister to ensure real-time coordination of farmer data between the two applications, ensure district-level mapping so that farmers can sell cotton to nearby ginning mills, and ensure simultaneous operation of L1, L2, and L3 ginning units to expedite procurement. He also demanded the appointment of specialized technical staff in Guntur to monitor the functioning of the Cotton Farmer App.
He urged the central government to allow the purchase of cotton with 12 to 18 percent moisture at a proportionate discount and to purchase rain-soaked or discolored cotton at appropriately adjusted rates.
Achannaidu said these measures would ensure transparency, prevent market exploitation, and provide immediate relief to farmers suffering from crop losses.
He appealed to the Union Minister to provide immediate central assistance to protect the livelihood of cotton growers in the cyclone-affected districts.
