Telangana's Cotton Growers Face An Uncertain Future Due To Weather Problems
The hopes of cotton farmers in Telangana have been shattered as adverse weather conditions continue to impact their livelihoods. The initial sowing of cotton, which began in late May after pre-monsoon showers, faced severe setbacks due to prolonged dry spells.
Cotton farmers in Telangana are grappling with a severe crisis as recent heavy rains and subsequent flooding have caused extensive damage to their crops. Despite expectations of stable prices this year, preliminary estimates indicate that over seven lakh acres of cotton have been affected by the floods.
This year, Telangana anticipated a significant increase in cotton cultivation, with many farmers shifting away from paddy due to irrigation shortages and crop failures from the previous season. However, their hopes were dashed as adverse weather conditions took a toll. While sowing began optimistically in late May, the crops were soon impacted by dry spells, and now floods have compounded their difficulties.
Despite these setbacks, farmers remained hopeful, driven by price forecasts suggesting stable rates of Rs. 6,600 to Rs. 7,200 per quintal for the upcoming harvest season, which spans from November 2024 to February 2025. Market intelligence reports from institutions such as the Agriculture and Market Intelligence Centre of Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University further boosted their optimism.
Last year, cotton prices mostly stayed below Rs. 7,000 per quintal, with only a few varieties fetching profitable rates. This year, however, the cost of cotton production has increased significantly due to labor shortages and the rising costs of inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Cotton was cultivated on nearly 43 lakh acres across Telangana this year. Yet, early reports suggest that cotton crops in over one-sixth of this area were damaged by the August rains that triggered widespread flooding. Although the full extent of the losses has yet to be determined, preliminary estimates paint a grim picture.
Government agencies have assessed the initial damages from the recent rains at Rs. 5,438 crore, with cotton losses accounting for a large share of this figure. While the Centre’s price forecast mechanism, supported by the Department of Agricultural Economics, predicts stable prices for most crops compared to last year’s Vanakalam marketing season, persistent rains remain a significant threat to cotton farming. Mahabubabad and Khammam districts have been the worst hit by crop losses, and farmers fear the worst may not be over yet.
Cotton farming is critical to Telangana’s agricultural economy, and these adverse weather conditions have undermined farmers’ efforts to boost productivity and lower production costs. Farmers are now demanding compensation of Rs. 35,000 per acre, given their high investments in this year’s crop. Timely support, they argue, is essential for them to recover and shift to alternative crops. They are calling on the State government and agricultural institutions to step in and provide much-needed relief.
Read More :>Cotton production expected to fall by 10 to 15 per cent due to heavy rains in Gujarat
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