Cotton farmers protest in Palamuru over procurement limits fixed by CCI

Cotton farmers in Mahabubnagar and Jogulamba Gadwal districts staged protests against the Congress government and CCI for cutting the procurement limit from 12 to 10 quintals per acre. Farmers blocked roads, alleging unfair policy changes and official harassment at purchase centres.

Mahabubnagar: Cotton farmers in Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s home district of Palamuru have launched protests against the Congress government for allowing procurement limits that they say will hurt their earnings.

Farmers from Obulayapally in Mahabubnagar Rural staged a demonstration on Raichur Road on Monday, blocking traffic and raising slogans against the government and the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). They alleged that procurement rules were changed abruptly without any explanation.

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Initially, the CCI had agreed to purchase 12 quintals of cotton per acre, but officials suddenly reduced the limit to 10 quintals. “Till yesterday, they were procuring 12 quintals per acre and today they have limited it to 10. This sudden change is unfair,” the farmers said.

They also complained that CCI officials were already creating difficulties through slot booking procedures and queries about moisture content. “This decision to restrict procurement adds to our hardship,” they said.

Protests were also reported in Jogulamba Gadwal district, where farmers blocked the national highway near Sri Varasiddivinayaka temple, demanding that CCI continue to procure up to 12 quintals per acre. Farmers alleged that officials there had reduced the limit even further to seven quintals.

The protesting farmers criticised both the State government and elected representatives for failing to intervene and resolve their grievances.