CCI stops purchase, cotton farmers worry increased
By yash chouhan 2026-03-06 11:16:52
Cotton Farmers Face Losses in Adilabad After CCI Halts Procurement
Adilabad: Cotton farmers in Adilabad and neighbouring districts are facing significant financial losses after the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) halted procurement on February 27. With no extension granted to the procurement deadline, many farmers have been forced to sell their produce to private traders at prices well below the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
According to officials, cotton was cultivated across 12.60 lakh acres in Adilabad, Mancherial, Kumram Bheem Asifabad, and Nirmal districts during the 2025 season. Initially, authorities estimated that the four districts would produce around 70 lakh quintals of cotton. However, unfavourable weather conditions led to a considerable decline in the overall yield.
The CCI began procurement on October 27, offering an MSP of ₹8,110 per quintal for cotton with moisture content between 8 and 12 percent. Later, the agency reduced the price by ₹100 per quintal, citing higher moisture levels and smaller seed sizes, which further affected farmers’ earnings.
Procurement was officially stopped on February 20, but after protests by farmer organisations and political parties, particularly the BRS, the deadline was extended to February 27. The party organised road blockades and submitted representations to the district collectors of Adilabad and Kumram Bheem Asifabad, demanding an extension of the procurement period.
Despite appeals from farmer groups and political leaders to extend the deadline until March 25, the CCI did not revise its decision.
Following the closure of procurement centres, farmers have been compelled to sell their cotton to private traders for around ₹6,500 per quintal, nearly ₹1,500 less than the MSP.
Borranna, district convener of Rythu Swarajya Vedika, said cotton farmers have been facing multiple challenges from sowing to harvest. He noted that while cotton cultivation was once profitable, farmers are now experiencing severe financial distress due to poor marketing opportunities and unseasonal rains. “Cotton cultivation is no longer profitable,” he said.
Officials stated that procurement in the erstwhile Adilabad district has reached around 45 lakh quintals so far, compared to 56.94 lakh quintals during the previous year.
The Adilabad Agriculture Market Yard recorded procurement of 18.93 lakh quintals, down from 25.38 lakh quintals last year. Market yards in Asifabad, Nirmal, and Mancherial districts have also reported significantly lower procurement compared to the previous season.
