Cotton Crops in Medak, Telangana, Are Devastated by Heavy Rains
2024-10-18 11:05:26
Cotton Crops in Medak, Telangana, Are Devastated by Heavy Rains
Recent rainfall across the former Medak district has dealt a severe blow to cotton farmers, causing widespread crop damage, color deterioration, and price volatility. Farmers are anxious that the damaged cotton will fetch lower prices, leading to heavy financial losses.
In Sangareddy alone, cotton has been planted on 3.5 lakh acres, with officials estimating a 20 percent loss due to the rains.
“Because of the rain, the color of the cotton is changing,” said Rajasekhar, a farmer from Sangareddy. “The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is over ₹7,000 per quintal, but if the crop fails, we are in for serious trouble.”
Farmers from Ramayampeta in Medak, like Srinivas Reddy, report that cotton plants have fallen over large areas. In Medak and Siddipet districts, the damage has also been extensive, with 200 acres affected in Medak alone, where 30,000 acres are under cotton cultivation.
In Siddipet, where cotton is grown on 1.5 lakh acres, farmers are facing significant losses.
The recent typhoon, coupled with continuous rainfall, has been identified as the primary cause of the damage. Farmers are now urging the state government to procure the damaged cotton at the MSP and offer support to help mitigate the rising costs of farming.
