According to the Cotton Association of India (CAI), cotton production for the 2023-24 (October-September) season is estimated at 296 lakh bales - the lowest in 15 years.
Amid low demand, pink bollworm infestation has made cotton less attractive in the Indian market. Moreover, farmers have been left to knock the doors of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). So far, the nodal agency has procured around 9 lakh bales (at MSP) worth around ₹3,600 crore this season.
The government has fixed the MSP for medium staple cotton at ₹6,620 per quintal and for long staple cotton at ₹7,020 per quintal.
"We have procured around 9 lakh bales across India. Now, our share in procurement is 30-40% of daily arrivals," said Lalit Kumar Gupta, chairman and managing director of CCI.
He said the pace of procurement across India has reached 2 lakh bales per day. “Maximum procurement takes place in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh where prices are low.” The lowest market price of cotton in Telangana is around ₹5,500 per quintal and in Andhra Pradesh it is around ₹4,200. Meanwhile, infection is not a matter of concern in these states.
Due to pink bollworm infection, farmers in states like Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are finding it difficult to sell their cotton to CCI. Gupta said, while other states are providing good quality cotton, cotton coming from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan is largely affected.
"In Punjab, Fazilka and Muktsar are two districts where quality is an issue. Both these districts are affected by pink bollworm. Therefore, most of the cotton coming to CCI is either infected or damaged cotton. We cannot compromise on quality." "We need to purchase carefully. We buy only cotton that meets the quality standards," Gupta said.
CCI has purchased cotton worth ₹120 crore in Punjab. The agency is purchasing around 1,500-2,000 bales daily from the area. Gupta said farmers generally expect to procure cotton from CCI, even if the quality is not up to standards. "We are holding a coordination committee meeting with various officials. We are coordinating with the government to address various concerns."
Meanwhile, another region where cotton prices have declined is Maharashtra. “CCI has set up centers here and farmers are slowly coming to the centres.”
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