Cotton farmers face hardship in Adilabad region after CCI halts procurement

Cotton farmers in Adilabad and neighbouring districts are facing losses after the Cotton Corporation of India stopped procurement on February 27. With no extension granted, farmers are selling produce to private traders at much lower prices

Adilabad: Farmers are continuing to face hardships in selling their cotton produce following the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) stopping the procurement process.

Officials said cotton was cultivated in 12.60 lakh acres across Adilabad, Mancherial, Kumram Bheem Asifabad and Nirmal districts in 2025. They estimated that the four districts would register a yield of around 70 lakh quintals of cotton. However, the districts recorded a significant dip in yield due to unfavourable weather conditions.

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On October 27, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) formally commenced procurement of cotton by offering a minimum support price of Rs.8,110 per quintal for produce containing moisture between 8 and 12 per cent. Subsequently, it slashed the price by Rs.100 citing higher moisture content and reduced size of cotton seeds, causing losses to farmers. The CCI later stopped the procurement process on February 20. It extended the last date to February 27 following widespread protests not only by farmer organisations but also by various political parties, mainly the BRS. The party staged road blockades and submitted representations to the Collectors of Adilabad and Kumram Bheem Asifabad districts seeking revision of the procurement deadline.

Despite pleas by farmer organisations and political parties to extend the deadline till March 25, the CCI stuck to its deadline of February 27. Since then, farmers have been forced to sell cotton to private traders, incurring losses after cultivating the commercial crop. They are selling cotton for around Rs.6,500 per quintal in the private market, resulting in a loss of at least Rs.1,500 per quintal.

Borranna, district convener of Rythu Swarajya Vedika, said cotton farmers had been facing a slew of problems from sowing of the crop till harvest. He observed that farmers, who once made good profits, were now distressed due to an unprecedented financial crisis caused by poor marketing opportunities and unseasonal rains. Cultivation of cotton was no longer profitable, he pointed out.

Officials stated that around 45 lakh quintals of cotton produce had been procured in the erstwhile Adilabad district so far, compared to 56.94 lakh quintals purchased in the previous year. The agriculture market yard in Adilabad town saw procurement of 18.93 lakh quintals of cotton as against 25.38 lakh quintals purchased in the previous year. The market yards in Asifabad, Nirmal and Mancherial districts too recorded comparatively lower quantities of cotton than in 2025.