Long queues for cotton sale, CCI centres to remain open for 7 days
By yash chouhan 2026-03-07 11:15:05
Farmers queue up to sell cotton, but CCI centers will only be open for seven days
Farmers in Marathwada are becoming increasingly concerned about selling cotton. The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has extended the cotton procurement deadline to March 15, but due to the holidays, farmers will only have seven days for the actual procurement.
This period includes two Saturdays, three Sundays, and the Holi and Rangpanchami holidays. Farmers say it will be difficult to procure cotton from all farmers in such a short period.
Approximately two thousand farmers in Gangapur taluka are waiting to sell cotton, while across the district this number has reached nearly eight thousand. A large number of farmers are still waiting for their turn.
Improvements in Slot Booking and Message Updates
Previously, farmers faced significant difficulties due to the closure of slot booking at some procurement centers. Now, this process has been improved, and messages regarding cotton sale dates are being sent to farmers on their registered mobile numbers. Farmers who have not yet received the message have been urged to contact the relevant market committee.
Demand for Extension of Center Opening Hours
Farmers say that due to holidays, procurement will only be possible for seven days until March 15th. Therefore, it is not possible to procure cotton from all farmers in such a short time. Therefore, farmers have demanded that CCI procurement centers remain open until March 31st instead of March 15th.
Fear of Lower Grades
Last year, CCI reduced cotton grades several times due to deficiencies in grading and screening. This year, similar concerns are being raised, leading to concerns among farmers that they may suffer losses due to the quality of their cotton.
Farmers Expect Better Prices
At the beginning of the season, cotton prices in the market were below the Minimum Support Price (MSP), so a large number of farmers turned to CCI centers to sell their cotton. Although a significant amount of cotton has been procured in the district so far, approximately 20 to 25 percent of the cotton remains lying in farmers' homes in rural areas.
Farmers are waiting in hopes of receiving better prices. Therefore, they say it is important to keep procurement centers open for longer periods so that all farmers have a chance to sell their cotton.
