Criticizing the Central government's decision to extend exemption of 11% import duty on US cotton till December 31, 2025, Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao called the decision a 'serious threat' to domestic farmers.

The Centre's move benefits the textile exporters at the cost of Indian farmers, despite India being one of the world’s largest cotton producers. The decision, taken under US pressure, comes shortly after PM Modi’s declaration of prioritizing farmer welfare at the M S Swaminathan centenary.

The Minister, talking to newsmen, warned that the imported cotton will be cheaper (Rs.49,000 - Rs.51,000 per candy) as compared to domestic Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) price (Rs.56,000 - Rs.57,000), hitting the farmers’ market prospects. The CCI may face losses on the existing stock. Farmers in Telangana, Maharashtra and Punjab are already suffering from the 'declining yields' and now face added distress. US subsidies to its cotton farmers and attempts to push 'genetically modified seeds' could further endanger Indian agriculture and biodiversity, he noted.

On fertilizers issue, Tummala highlighted a 'severe urea shortage' with stocks plunging from 86.43 lakh tonnes (Aug 2024) to 37.19 lakh tonnes (Aug 2025), driven by global price hikes, supply disruptions and closure of local plants. He warned of soil quality decline due to over-reliance on chemical fertilizers. He urged the Centre to urgently hold consultations with states, secure long-term fertilizer agreements with Gulf and Russian partners, and to announce 'MSP for organic crops', support farmers in transition, and incentivize states to expand organic farming (40 - 50% land in future, Telangana targeting 10%).