Government Launches 550 Cotton Procurement Centers, Expands Digital MSP System for Farmers
2025-10-03 19:52:25
Government Sets Up Record 550 Cotton Procurement Centers Ahead of 2025–26 Season
New Delhi: The government has established 550 cotton procurement centers across the country, the highest ever, to ensure better farmer access and improved logistics efficiency during peak arrival periods. These centers will operate across all 11 cotton-producing regions.
Phased Procurement Schedule Announced
To align procurement with regional harvest timelines, operations will begin in phases:
Northern region (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan): October 1
Central region (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha): October 15
Southern region (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu): October 21
High-Level Review of MSP Operations
A comprehensive review of Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations for the 2025–26 Kharif cotton season was conducted by Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles. Senior officials from cotton-producing states, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), and the Ministry participated in the meeting.
The Ministry said the initiative reflects its commitment to a transparent, efficient, and farmer-centric procurement system.
Digital Push Through Kapas-Kisan App
The government is promoting full digital integration in cotton procurement through the “Kapas-Kisan” app, which enables:
Farmer self-registration
7-day rolling slot booking
Real-time payment tracking
Farmers have been advised to complete registration by October 31. Users from existing state systems in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana are also required to verify their details on the app.
Direct Payments and Monitoring System
Payments under MSP will be directly credited to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts via the NACH system, with SMS alerts at every stage from billing to payment confirmation.
Local Monitoring Committees (LMCs) have been set up at all procurement centers to ensure transparency. The CCI has also launched a dedicated WhatsApp helpline to address farmer grievances promptly.
The government has urged farmers to register early and use digital tools to avoid distress sales.
