CCI's delayed procurement plunges cotton farmers into crisis

Cotton farmers in Andhra Pradesh are facing severe distress due to the Cotton Corporation of India's (CCI) delayed procurement. The state government has urged the Centre to intervene and expedite the process.

The CCI, tasked with procuring cotton at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 7,521 per quintal, have rejected a significant portion of the farmers' produce, citing high moisture content. This forced farmers to sell their crops to private traders at significantly lower prices, often around Rs 5,000-Rs 5,500 per quintal. The farmers allege CCI officials are deliberately rejecting stocks to benefit private players. The state's agriculture minister, K Atchannaidu, has criticized the CCI's approach, urging them to streamline the procurement process.

In recent years, high global demand had led to private players purchasing most of the cotton crop at prices exceeding the MSP. However, a decline in prices this season has prompted the CCI to step in. The farmers' current predicament highlights the challenges they face in navigating the volatile market, especially when government agencies fail to fulfill their role.