KTR slams Congress Govt over cotton procurement crisis

BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao slammed the State and Central governments over a deepening cotton and soybean procurement crisis, pledging full support for a November 21 nationwide highway blockade. Visiting Adilabad, he cited procurement lapses, alleged collusion with traders, and urged mass farmer participation

Hyderabad: Coming down heavily on both the State and Central governments for what he called the worst ever crisis faced by cotton and soybean farmers triggered by the collapse of the government procurement system, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working president KT Rama Rao on Tuesday announced that BRS would fully support the nationwide highway blockade called by farmer unions on November 21 in Adilabad and appealed to farmers to participate in large numbers.
He visited the Adilabad Market Yard, which remained deserted due to lack of procurement activity and interacted with farmers and shared their concern over failure of the government agencies.

Farmers alleged that despite repeated promises made by the Congress during elections, no meaningful support was received on ground and it deprived them of  the opportunity to sell their produce at remunerative prices.

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Addressing the media after the interaction, Rama Rao questioned the State government’s claims that there is no crisis. “If everything is normal, why is the Adilabad Market Yard shut today? Why were BRS leaders stopped from meeting farmers earlier?” he asked.

The BRS leader highlighted multiple flaws in the current procurement mechanism. The mandatory Kisan Kapas app excludes thousands of farmers who do not own smartphones or live in areas with poor network connectivity, he said.

Strict 12% moisture limit was being enforced even though unseasonal rains have raised moisture levels. During the previous BRS regime, cotton with 20–22% moisture was procured after pressing the Centre.

An arbitrary cap of only 7 quintals per acre is imposed despite average yields of 10–15 quintals in the region, leaving surplus produce unsold. Less than one lakh quintals of cotton have been procured across the state so far this season, he pointed out.

Rama Rao also accused the Congress government of deliberately delaying action and claimed Monday’s video conference with the Centre was organised only because BRS leaders were visiting affected farmers.

He also alleged collusion between officials and private traders to depress farm-gate prices. He said the BJP government’s decision to allow duty-free cotton imports has flooded the market with cheaper foreign cotton, further hurting domestic growers.
He also assured party financial assistance to the family of farmer Hadavu Deepak, who recently died by suicide due to crop losses and debt. Describing the situation as “unprecedented in history”, he warned that protests are now the only way to force both the State and Central governments to act in favour of farmers.

“BRS stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the farming community,” he declared.