Telangana: Cotton production declines due to El Niño; farmers demand a price of ₹12,000 per quintal
Warangal: The impact of El Niño, a deficit in rainfall, and rising cultivation costs have compounded the challenges faced by cotton farmers in Telangana. Amidst a decline in production, farmers are hesitant to sell their cotton at current market rates. They argue that the prevailing prices—ranging from ₹8,500 to ₹9,160 per quintal—are insufficient to cover their escalating production costs. Consequently, farmers are demanding a remunerative price of ₹12,000 per quintal. Farmer organizations have urged both the central and state governments to intervene and initiate commercial procurement through the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).
Decline in yield due to rainfall deficit
The cotton crop has been adversely affected this Kharif season by delayed rainfall, insufficient precipitation, and a shortage of water for irrigation. According to farmers, while a typical yield is 10 to 12 quintals per acre, this year it has dropped to just 5 to 7 quintals per acre.
Meanwhile, cultivation costs have surged to approximately ₹50,000 per acre. With lower yields and rising expenses, farmers are struggling to even recover their input costs. They state that selling their cotton at current market prices would result in a financial loss.
Reduced market arrivals as farmers await better prices
Due to the drop in production and uncertainty regarding market prices, farmers are holding back their produce. This delay in sales—driven by the hope for better prices—has impacted both the arrival and sale of cotton in local markets. Currently, farmers are selling their cotton in the open market only when absolutely necessary.
Sadanandam, a farmer from the Geesugonda mandal, stated that the central government must ensure a fair price for the farmers' produce. They have demanded that the state government provide a bonus of ₹1,000 per quintal to help mitigate farmers' losses and enable them to continue farming.
Manda Sanjeev, a farmer from Chennaram village in Wardhannapet, stated that drought-like conditions—characterized by reduced yields and rising costs—have intensified the financial pressure on farmers. He urged for the price of cotton to be set at ₹12,000 per quintal and called upon both the central and state governments to announce a special relief package.
Farmer organizations are demanding that the government take prompt action to ensure fair procurement prices, bonuses, and state support, so that cotton farmers can find relief from the current crisis.
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