Gujarat: Cotton prices in Handod fall below MSP; farmers demand that CCI begin procurement at ₹8,617
Cotton trading at ₹8,550–8,600 per quintal in Handod; farmers concerned as prices fall below the Minimum Support Price (MSP)
Chhota Udepur: Farmers are increasingly concerned as cotton prices at the Handod center in the Sankheda taluka of Gujarat have fallen below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). On Wednesday, the market price for cotton at the center ranged between ₹8,550 and ₹8,600 per quintal, whereas the government-fixed MSP for cotton is ₹8,617 per quintal. Farmers have urged the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to commence cotton procurement at the MSP without delay.
Farmers have requested that cotton auctions continue at the Handod center until the CCI begins procurement at the MSP. Cotton arrivals have already commenced at the center, and the prevailing market prices have become a cause for concern for the farmers. They believe that the start of government procurement will ensure they receive a fair price for their produce.
Currently, three cotton ginning units are operational at the Handod center, with a fourth unit expected to begin operations soon. The Handod center typically sees a significant volume of cotton arrivals; consequently, farmers have demanded the immediate commencement of auctions and government procurement at the MSP.
On Wednesday, cotton prices at the Handod center were recorded between ₹8,550 and ₹8,600 per quintal, while at the Bodeli APMC, prices ranged from ₹8,600 to ₹8,800 per quintal. Given that market prices in Handod remain below the MSP, farmers have reiterated their demand for the CCI to begin procurement as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the registration of farmers for selling cotton at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) resumed on Wednesday after a gap of 22 days. According to APMC sources, 2,960 farmers in Chhota Udepur district have registered so far. Of these, the registration of 640 farmers has been successfully completed, while the registration of 2,320 farmers remains pending.
The registration portal, which had been closed for the past 20 to 22 days, was reopened on Wednesday. Farmers hope that with the acceleration of the registration process, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) will soon begin procuring cotton at the MSP, enabling them to benefit from the stipulated support price.
read more:- Cotton Prices Fall ₹500 in Karimnagar Markets; Peddapalli Rates Drop to ₹7,300
