Adilabad: Farmers worried as delays hit cotton procurement

Farmers said procurement centres were not identified in several parts of Asifabad and Mancherial districts except for a few major centres. Consequently, farmers were forced to sell the cotton produce to private traders

Adilabad: Farmers are facing inconvenience in selling their cotton produce following insufficient procurement centres across erstwhile Adilabad district.

The erstwhile Adilabad district is regarded as one of the largest producers of cotton in Asia. The cotton crop was raised in 10.15 lakh acres in the Vanakalam season in Adilabad, Mancherial, Nirmal and Kumram Bheem Asifabad districts. Officials estimated that erstwhile Adilabad district would register a yield of 71.05 lakh quintals this year.

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The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) had announced that it would create 24 centres under the jurisdiction of 18 agriculture market yards to procure the cotton produce in the four districts. Two procurement centres were in Adilabad town, while one each were opened in Boath, Sonala, Pochera, Neradigonda, Indravelli, Narnoor, Ichoda, Gudihatnoor, Bela, Sirikonda and Jainath mandal centre.

The process of procurement formally began at Bhainsa town in Nirmal district on Monday, indicating the situation. Farmers said procurement centres were not identified in several parts of  Asifabad and Mancherial districts except for a few major centres. Consequently, farmers were forced to sell the cotton produce to private traders.

However, farmers are being fleeced by the traders, following unavailability of the procurement centres belonging to the CCI. For instance, they are offered about Rs 7,000 per quintal as against Rs 7,520 fixed by the government. Additionally, they are levied a commission of 2.5 percent on the cost of the produce, besides hamali charge of Rs 25 per quintal. They are losing out around Rs 700 per quintal.

CCI procures less cotton than private traders

The CCI is reportedly not procuring the cotton citing the higher percent of moisture than permitted eight and 12 percent. For instance, the corporation bought 7,176 quintals, while private traders purchased 32,745 quintals till Monday. Cap on the moisture percentage has become a boon to traders and bane for farmers. The traders are cashing in on the helpless situation of the farmers.

The farmers were left with no option, but to sell the produce to private traders for Rs 7,010 per quintal with 12 percent of moisture in Adilabad town on Monday. The growers regretted that they were unable to make profits due to dip in the support price quoted by the private traders. They requested the government to take steps to offer a remunerative price for the cotton produce.

Cotton raised in erstwhile Adilabad: 10.15 lakh acres

Expected yield: 71.05 lakh quintals

Procurement centres in Adilabad: 11

MSP per quintal: Rs 7,520

Prive offered by private traders: Rs 7,010

Commission charged by traders on payment of cost: 2.5 percent

Hamali charge: Rs 25 per quintal