The Centre has launched a ₹600 crore "Cotton Revolution Mission" to promote high-yield, long-staple cotton cultivation.
The Centre has launched a ₹600 crore "Cotton Revolution Mission" to promote high-yield, long-staple cotton cultivation through scientific research, technological innovation, and extension services. Farmers in Maharashtra, especially the Akola region, have adopted high-density plantation (HDP) methods, leading to significant yield increases.
The plan is to replicate these methods in suitable areas of Telangana by bringing farmers to Maharashtra to observe these methods firsthand, providing them with suitable seeds, and encouraging them to adopt HDP techniques. Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy said on Friday that a post-harvest visit to Akola is also being planned for farmers to observe successful HDP practices.
Regarding the current cotton procurement, Mr. Reddy informed a press conference that approximately 2.4 million farmers in Telangana are currently engaged in cotton cultivation, making the state the top cotton producer in India. From October 21st to 24th, agriculture and marketing officials will conduct a five-day awareness campaign in villages to promote the app and the procurement process.
Approximately 122 procurement centers are scheduled to open after Diwali. He explained that committees headed by district collectors, comprising officials, police, revenue officials, and farmer representatives, have been established at each procurement center to address complaints and prevent exploitation.
A dedicated mobile application, the "Cotton Farmers App," will also be launched to facilitate slot booking and streamline the selling process for farmers. The Minister urged farmers to use this app, which will go live after Diwali, to book slots to sell their produce, schedule their sales, and avoid middlemen, ensuring fair prices and transparency.
Awareness campaigns are being conducted through pamphlets, social media, WhatsApp groups, and videos in nine languages. Newspaper advertisements also provide information on acceptable moisture levels and related prices. He explained that agricultural officials are also visiting villages to assist farmers with app registration and distribute informational materials. Tech-savvy rural youth are also helping fellow farmers use the digital platform to ensure smooth implementation.
A total of 345 ginning centers have been notified in Telangana, and agreements have been finalized with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). Agricultural officials, Panchayat officials, and progressive farmers are promoting slot booking awareness at the village level.
He explained that a review meeting was held with CCI officials from Adilabad, Warangal, and Mahabubnagar and officials from the Telangana Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, and that issues raised during the meeting will be escalated to the Ministry of Textiles and CCI headquarters for resolution.
The Center procured 17.3 million bales of cotton worth ₹24,825 crore through the Central Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (CCI) between 2004 and 2014. In contrast, from 2014 to 2024, procurement increased to 47.3 million bales, costing ₹1.37 lakh crore—a testament to the Center's increased support under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.
Over the past decade, the Center has doubled the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton. In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh alone, the Center has spent ₹65,000 crore on cotton procurement over the past decade—₹58,000 crore in Telangana and ₹8,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Reddy said.
The Minister claimed that strict action is being taken against ginning mills and middlemen involved in malpractices. The government is also cracking down on counterfeit seeds, and several companies and dealerships have already been penalized. Violators are being booked under the PD Act and licenses are being revoked, he said.
read more :- CCI sold 89% of its cotton through e-auction.
