Cotton farmers in Adilabad struggle to sell wet produce after Cyclone Montha rains

Cotton farmers in Adilabad continued to suffer as the Cotton Corporation of India refused to buy their produce for the fourth consecutive day, citing excess moisture caused by rains from Cyclone Montha. Many were forced to sell to private traders below MSP

Adilabad: Cotton farmers continued to face hardships as the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) refused to purchase their produce for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday, citing excessive moisture content at the Adilabad Agriculture Market Yard.

Farmers from several parts of the district brought their cotton to the yard but, since October 27, have been waiting to sell it to the CCI. Officials rejected the produce, stating that it contained more moisture than the permissible limit.

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Growers said they were struggling to dry and safeguard their produce at the yard amid persistent cloudy conditions following the rains caused by Cyclone Montha. They said the cotton developed moisture after being shifted to the yard. Several farmers said they were spending sleepless nights guarding their produce.

Unable to wait further, many farmers were forced to sell their cotton to private traders at Rs 7,100 per quintal, incurring a loss of nearly Rs 1,000 per quintal. They pointed out that the CCI’s refusal denied them the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 8,110 per quintal fixed by the Union government.

The CCI’s procurement for the 2025 season began on October 26 amid protests from farmers across the district. Aggrieved farmers staged a sit-in near weighing machines, urging officials to relax the 12 per cent moisture cap and procure cotton with slightly higher moisture levels at MSP.

Officials said cotton, often referred to as ‘white gold’, was cultivated on about 4.25 lakh acres in Adilabad district. The yield is estimated at 34 lakh quintals this season.