Amid CCI Procurement Obstacles, Cotton Farmers Demand the Center's Intervention
Vijayawada: Cotton farmers in Andhra Pradesh face mounting distress as the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) rejects their produce, citing high moisture content. The delays in procurement have left farmers vulnerable to middlemen and private traders, who are exploiting the situation to purchase cotton at significantly reduced prices, causing substantial losses to growers.
The Centre had announced a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹7,521 per quintal for the current crop season. However, due to CCI's hesitance, farmers are forced to sell their produce to local traders for as low as ₹5,000–₹5,500 per quintal, resulting in losses of ₹2,000–₹2,500 per quintal.
Farmers Blame CCI for Deliberate Delays
Farmers allege that CCI officials are intentionally rejecting stocks to benefit private traders. While CCI has established around 60 procurement centres at ginning mills and 11 centres at market yards across the state, the rejection rate remains unusually high. Many growers, unable to afford the transportation costs of taking their rejected produce back home, are left with no choice but to accept low offers from traders.
"The connivance between CCI officials and private exporters is evident. Instead of supporting farmers, they are creating opportunities for private players to exploit the situation," alleged CPI(M) district secretary Pasam Ramarao.
Chief Minister Calls for Immediate Action
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has urged the Union government to intervene and rectify the procurement issues. Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu emphasized that CCI must streamline its operations to ensure that farmers are not subjected to unnecessary hardships. Naidu has already brought the issue to the attention of Union Agriculture Minister Giriraj Singh, requesting urgent action and clear instructions to CCI officials.
Shifting Market Dynamics
In recent years, high global demand for cotton had rendered CCI largely inactive, with 90–95% of the crop being purchased by private players at prices exceeding MSP, often reaching ₹10,000–₹12,000 per quintal. However, the current season has seen prices plummet to ₹5,000 per quintal, prompting CCI to step in. Farmers were optimistic about relief through government procurement but are now disheartened by the high rejection rates and delays.
Ministerial Review Yields Limited Results
Union Minister for Rural Development Pemmasani Chandrasekhar recently reviewed the cotton procurement process with CCI officials and urged them to adopt a more flexible approach. However, CCI maintains that it is bound by procurement norms set by the Centre.
A Call for Fair Practices
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