Haryana Cotton Procurement Stalled, Farmers Face Harassment Over Quality
In Charkhi Dadri, government procurement of cotton appears to be limited to mere paperwork. A month has passed since procurement began, but only four thousand quintals of cotton have been purchased so far, leaving farmers and their organizations angry. Farmer organizations have accused CCI (Cotton Corporation of India) representatives of harassing farmers in the name of quality. They have warned of an agitation if cotton procurement is not completed within the stipulated time.
Major Allegations Against CCI Representatives
It is noteworthy that after a long wait, government procurement of cotton finally began in Dadri on November 20th. Almost a month has passed since the start of procurement, but the pace of cotton purchase has been much slower than expected. As a result, farmers who were hoping to benefit from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) by selling their cotton through government procurement have been disappointed.
It is alleged that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is repeatedly rejecting cotton citing poor quality. Consequently, only a nominal number of farmers have been able to sell their cotton. Of these, only four thousand quintals of cotton have been purchased from approximately 200 farmers.
Farmers Selling Cotton at Low Prices
Farmer organizations say that during the Kharif season in the district, besides millet, paddy and cotton were the main crops cultivated. Farmers waited a long time for government procurement of cotton and were forced to sell their produce in the private market at prices 1000 to 1500 rupees lower than the MSP. When government procurement finally began, they hoped for relief, but due to the continuous rejection of cotton on quality grounds, farmers are still forced to sell their cotton at distress prices in the private market. This is causing them significant financial losses.
Farmers' Meeting on December 24th
Farmer leader Jagbir Ghasola said that CCI representatives are only harassing farmers in the name of quality during cotton procurement. He alleged that they are colluding with middlemen to adjust the cotton that farmers had already sold in the private market. As a result, farmers are completely deprived of the benefits of government procurement. He said that a meeting with farmers will be held at Rose Garden in the city on December 24. Issues such as the reduction in price difference compensation and crop compensation amounts, as well as the harassment of farmers in the name of quality during cotton procurement, will be discussed at the meeting.
Memorandum submitted to the SDM: Randhir Singh Kungar
Randhir Singh Kungar, the Dadri district president of the All India Kisan Sabha, said that their protest is ongoing in Badhra regarding the pending demands of the farmers. They have already submitted a memorandum to the SDM regarding the farmers' demands. During that time, the officials were also informed about the situation of cotton procurement, but no action has been taken yet. As a result, farmers in the district are unable to sell their crops through government procurement.
He said that the future course of action will be decided after consultation with the executive committee.
Cotton procurement will pick up pace: Center In-charge
Chandrashekhar Bahadur, the in-charge of the CCI Dadri center, said that the lack of quality is hindering cotton procurement. Cotton is being rejected due to yellowness, moisture, etc. He said that cotton that meets the quality standards is being purchased. Currently, procurement is taking place at three mills, and four thousand quintals of cotton have been purchased from 200 farmers.
He said that most of the poor-quality cotton has already been sold through private procurement. Now, some improvement in the quality of cotton is being observed, and it is expected that cotton procurement will gain momentum in the coming days.
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