CCI to Open 33 Cotton Procurement Centres to Support Farmers Amid Price Drop
2024-10-07 11:47:35
33 Cotton Procurement Centers Will Open by CCI to Assist Farmers During Price Drop
Vijayawada Despite growing demand for cotton in the global market, prices in the state have fallen below the Minimum Support Price (MSP), largely due to significant crop damage caused by recent rains and floods. Private traders have seized the opportunity, citing the "inferior" quality of the cotton to offer lower prices.
Farmers, who enjoyed substantial profits over the past four years, are now anxious to sell their produce. Factors such as the discoloration of white kapas (raw cotton), shortened staple length, and higher moisture content have contributed to this uncertainty.
In response to farmers' concerns, the central government has instructed the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to intervene. After years of inactivity due to high market prices, the CCI will open 33 procurement centres to purchase cotton directly from farmers.
These centres, including several ginning mills designated by the CCI, will be located across the state. In areas without ginning mills, the new procurement centres will operate within local agriculture market yards.
