Adilabad cotton procurement plunges as farmers face weather-related crop losses

Cotton procurement in Adilabad has plunged amid reports of weather-related crop damage and deficient rainfall. Officials and farmers cite declining yields, while farmer groups warn of worsening agrarian distress and urge immediate government relief for affected farming households across the district

Adilabad: A significant decline in cotton yield, reportedly triggered by adverse weather conditions associated with the El Niño pattern, is raising concerns among farmers in the district, with cotton procurement falling sharply this year.

Cotton procurement began at 18 centres and 33 ginning mills across Adilabad district on Thursday. Officials said only 600 quintals were procured on the first day, compared with 8,000 quintals during the corresponding period last year. On the second day, 400 quintals of cotton were purchased, against 7,000 quintals on the same day a year earlier, highlighting a steep decline in procurement.

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Agriculture and marketing officials attributed the fall in procurement to a substantial decline in cotton yield this agricultural season. They said Cyclone Montha affected the crop during its growing stage, while a prolonged dry spell adversely affected it during flowering.

Farmers said the cotton bolls were bursting because of insufficient soil moisture and unusually high temperatures associated with El Niño conditions. They said rainfall was urgently needed to save the crop, which was at risk of withering. They feared that yields would decline further if the unfavourable weather persisted for a few more weeks.

Chittumalla Adellu, a farmer from Sirsanna village, said he expected a yield of only four quintals per acre because of weather-related crop damage.

Distressed farmers urged the government to extend relief similar to that provided in Maharashtra, where, according to the report, Rs 5,000 was offered to each farmer around Diwali after 304 talukas were declared drought-hit.

Adilabad district recorded 680 mm of rainfall between June 1 and October 23, against the normal rainfall of 1,063 mm, representing a deficit of 36 per cent. Except for Talamadugu mandal, the remaining 20 mandals were reported to be experiencing rainfall deficits ranging from 24 to 45 per cent. The scanty rainfall has forced farmers to rely on generators to irrigate standing crops.

Meanwhile, 20 farmer suicides were reported in the district between January 1 and October 20, underscoring the severity of the agrarian distress. Farmer organisations attributed the distress to crop losses associated with El Niño conditions and financial difficulties. They warned that the agricultural sector was facing a severe crisis and called for immediate government intervention to support struggling farmers.