Challenges hit cotton farmers in Adilabad

Farmers, who raised the commercial cotton crop expecting they would be to make profits by selling the cotton produce at remunerative price this year, are facing one or other problems to sell cotton produce in the district.

Adilabad: Farmers, who raised the commercial cotton crop expecting they would be to make profits by selling the cotton produce at remunerative price this year, are facing one or other problems to sell cotton produce in the district.

The farmers initially struggled due to delay in commencement of cotton procurement by the Cotton Corporation India (CCI). They could not sell the cotton following lack of insufficient procurement centres. They were forced to visit market yards of neighboring districts shelling huge amounts on transportation.

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The growers were now being exploited by private traders who reportedly quote lower price than minimum support price (MSP) Rs 7,521 per quintal citing higher percentage of moisture. They are levied 2.5 percent of commission on the cost of the produce and charged Rs 25 per bag towards hamali if they sell the cotton to unauthorized traders.

Swami from Pippalikoti in Bheempur mandal said that he was left with no option, but to sell the cotton to a private trader for Rs 6,700 per quintal when the CCI rejected it citing 16 percent of moisture. He stated that the farmers were distressed for not getting a remunerative price for their produce.

Ramanna, another farmer alleged that the CCI was not coming to rescue of the farmers when the private traders were offering lower price than MSP. He accused it of backing the traders. The farmers regretted that the elected representatives would take up the problems of the cotton growers only during polls and never intervene when they witness losses.

CCI officials said efforts were being taken to ensure MSP to farmers. They advised farmers not to sell the cotton with high percentage of moisture. They stated that stringent action would be taken against unauthorized traders who dupe farmers. While the CCI purchased 50,073 quintals, private traders procured 73,558 quintals till Saturday.

Meanwhile, farmers are unable to find labourers to pick cotton due to shortage of farm workers. They are coming forward to pay Rs 10 per kilogram as against Rs 7 paid in 2023. However, they are facing problems in harvesting the cotton. They are relying on migrant laborers from neighboring Maharashtra.