Maharashtra: Farmers await procurement centers; 15,000 in Wardha register with CCI, crops destroyed
Wardha: Delays in government procurement have become a new challenge for farmers already struggling with natural disasters. Nearly 15,000 farmers in the district have registered with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to sell their cotton.
This year, farmers in the district have suffered heavy losses due to natural disasters. NAFED purchases soybeans at the minimum support price, but this year, NAFED has yet to find an auspicious time to begin registration. As a result, farmers are forced to sell soybeans to private traders at rates below the support price.
Government cotton procurement centers have also not been operational. Meanwhile, nearly 15,000 farmers in the district have registered with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to sell their cotton. However, the government procurement centers have not yet been operational, creating problems for cotton-producing farmers.
Standing soybean crop set on fire
Farmers in the district primarily cultivate cotton, soybean, and pigeon pea during the Kharif season. This year, continuous excessive rainfall has caused significant damage to both cotton and soybean crops. Many farmers, unable to even recover their costs, set their standing soybean crops on fire.
Meanwhile, cotton crops are being affected by red rot in some areas and pink bollworm in others. Against this backdrop, Cyclone Montha brought unseasonal rain to the district again on Thursday. The Nagpur Meteorological Department has predicted more rain in the coming days.
Due to the soybean crop being wet and other reasons, it has become difficult for farmers to receive MSP prices. Farmers have been forced to sell their crops at low prices. Meanwhile, cotton crops are arriving from the fields to their homes. The lack of procurement centers has created serious challenges for farmers.
October 31st announced as the last date for registration.
CCI plans to purchase cotton from farmers through 13 centers in the district. Registration for this has been started. So far, about 15 thousand farmers have registered with CCI. The last date for registration has been fixed as 31st October. Last year, CCI had purchased about 9 lakh quintals of cotton from farmers. This year also the organization plans to purchase cotton from 13 centers. These centers include Deoli, Vaygaon (Ni.), Selu, Arvi, Ashti, Karanja (Gha.), Pulgaon, Samudrapur, Hinganghat, Vadner, Shirpur, Anji and Rohna (Kharangna). Currently, registration of farmers is going on at these centers.
