Andhra Pradesh pushes for CCI to buy all cotton.

The Andhra Pradesh government is looking forward to the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) purchasing all cotton registered under the e-crop system in the state. Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu and Textiles Minister S Savitha announced new efforts to increase cotton cultivation and production, ensuring financial stability for farmers.

At a meeting with ginning and spinning millers, Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University scientists, and agricultural officials in Amaravati, the ministers emphasized the importance of eliminating waste in cotton to secure better prices for farmers. They warned traders that the cess on cotton would be removed only if they purchased from local farmers.

The decline in cotton production, from 20.50 lakh bales in 2017-18 to 11.58 lakh bales in 2023-24, was attributed to waste caused by packing cotton in plastic and gunny bags. Minister Savitha stressed the need for cotton bags to improve quality and prices, while urging officials to educate farmers on the benefits of using them.

Atchannaidu called for a study of practices in Maharashtra and Telangana to boost yields and reduce waste, directing officials to implement immediate corrective measures.