Zero mill bids stalling buys, Agri dept gears up for a decisive Secretariat showdown to protect farmers' interests

In an effort to safeguard the interests of cotton farmers amid challenges in procurement, Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao has scheduled a crucial meeting with the Managing Director of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and representatives of ginning mills. The meeting is set for Monday, October 6, at 11 AM in the Secretariat, aiming to resolve outstanding issues and ensure seamless commencement of cotton purchases at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The state government has placed special emphasis on cotton procurement for the ongoing Kharif marketing season. Telangana boasts extensive cotton cultivation across 43.29 lakh acres, with a production of 24.70 lakh tonnes. However, the reluctance of ginning mills to participate in CCI tenders has posed a significant hurdle. Out of 341 eligible ginning mills in the state, none have submitted tenders as of the September 25 deadline, despite last year's participation by 310 mills. This non-participation stems from demands for relaxations in new CCI rules, including lint percentage calculations (L1 and L2 allotments), slot booking, and area mapping under the 'Kapaas Kisaan' app.

These reforms, introduced by the central government, mandate online slot booking for farmers, moisture content limits of 8-12%, and district-specific sales to eliminate middlemen and ensure direct MSP benefits. The MSP for this season stands at Rs. 8,110 per quintal for long staple cotton and Rs. 7,710 for medium staple, marking an increase of Rs. 590. The rules aim to curb fraudulent practices uncovered in last year's vigilance probes, where mills and traders allegedly misused farmers' documents to buy low and sell high to CCI.

Minister Thummala has already escalated the issue to the central government. On his directives, state officials met central representatives in Delhi on October 1, leading to agreements on partial relaxations, such as bi-weekly lint percentage determinations, while maintaining core reforms. Despite this, mills have not come forward, prompting the upcoming meeting to address doubts and fears.

The Minister reiterated the government's unwavering support for farmers, especially in the wake of heavy rains damaging crops and reducing yields. "The government is ready to take all necessary measures to ensure farmers receive the support price. We will not tolerate any actions that harm farmers' interests," stated Thummala. He warned that procurement must commence next week under any circumstances, urging strict action against irregularities.

This initiative underscores Telangana's divergence from other states that have adopted the reforms, highlighting a potential conspiracy by mills to revert to old methods that favour intermediaries. Farmers are advised to utilize the 'Kapaas Kisaan' app for direct sales and avoid low open-market prices, which averaged Rs. 4,255 per quintal in some areas—far below MSP.

The agriculture department says it is committed to transparent procurement, protecting over lakhs of cotton cultivators from exploitation and ensuring economic stability in rural areas.