Telangana: CCI begins cotton procurement in Gadwal; farmers face difficulty booking slots due to lack of ginning mills
Gadwal: The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has officially begun cotton procurement operations in Jogulamba, Gadwal district. The inaugural ceremony took place at the Sri Balaji Cotton Ginning Mill, where Marketing Department official Pushpamma, along with CCI Chief Production Officer Rahul, formally launched the procurement by breaking a coconut in the traditional manner.
According to officials, the district is expected to produce approximately 1.8 million quintals of cotton this season. Currently, only two procurement centers have been opened – one in Gadwal and the other in Alampur. These centers, operated by two ginning mills, have a combined capacity of 3,500 quintals.
Pushpamma stated that procurement in Alampur began a week ago and has been running smoothly ever since. However, many farmers in Gadwal have expressed frustration that despite repeated attempts, they are unable to book slots to sell their cotton.
The marketing officer explained that the lack of ginning mills is the main reason for the delays and difficulties in booking slots. Meanwhile, farmers are urging the CCI and the district administration to identify at least five or six additional ginning mills and open them for procurement to reduce congestion and ensure timely procurement.
Farmers also expressed disappointment that while the central government is ensuring procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) across the country under its farmer welfare programs, this system is faltering in Gadwal district due to administrative hurdles.
They explained that due to delays in government procurement, approximately 90 percent of farmers have already sold their cotton to private traders and middlemen, often at rates lower than the MSP. They say that the remaining 10 percent of cotton should at least be purchased by the CCI at the official support price.
The farmers appealed to the government authorities to immediately intervene and provide necessary support so that the remaining produce could be sold under fair and transparent conditions.
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