CCI to purchase cotton in Manawar from November: Farmers say market rates are 5,000 to 6,000 rupees, while the government rate is 8,000 rupees.
In Manawar, Dhar district, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has not yet begun purchasing cotton, even after the month of October has ended. This has forced farmers to store thousands of quintals of their produce at home. The government has set the support price for cotton this year at 8,110 rupees per quintal, giving farmers hope for better prices.
The cotton crop has received some relief due to bright sunshine over the past two days. Farmers believe the sunshine will increase cotton production and bring dryness. Previously, heavy rains and waterlogging caused significant damage to the crop.
Farmers say market rate of cotton is 5,500 rupees.
Farmers Dinesh Devda, Kailash Patidar, Raju Mukati, Dinesh Sharma, and Mohan Gehlot said they had planted cotton on several acres, costing them lakhs of rupees. Heavy rain and storms three days ago caused significant damage to the crop. Currently, the price of cotton in the open market is between 5500 and 6000 rupees per quintal, which is significantly lower than the support price.
The CCI has invited tenders from ginning mills and may begin procurement in Manawar in November. Farmers say that cotton procurement has already begun in other markets, while they are facing difficulties storing their produce. Farmers have demanded that the CCI begin cotton procurement as soon as possible.
CCI Cotton Selector Mangesh Chitkule informed that the procurement process will begin soon at the Manawar center.
