Hiked cotton prices kindle distressed farmers' hopes
ADILABAD: Distressed cotton farmers who suffered crop damages due to heavy rains are now pinning hopes on the price to be offered for cotton in markets so that it could compensate for the losses they incurred in the old Adilabad district.
Farmers started cotton picking and drying in sunlight in front of their houses before they sell the cotton to the private cotton traders or Adilabad branch of CCI (Cotton Corporation of India).
Already the cotton farmers invested huge money in the crop and spent a lot of money on seeds, fertilizers and pesticides this season. Incessant rains forced the farmers to go for pesticide spray and applying fertilizers to the standing plants for more times after heavy rains and floodwater inundating the standing crops.
The Central government offered an MSP of Rs 5,885 per quintal earlier but is offering Rs 6,025 this year. However, private cotton traders are likely to offer more than the MSP if farmers are willing to sell their produce. This year, the Central government has added Rs 200 to the previous MSP of Rs 5,885.
It is said that private traders are desperate to purchase cotton from farmers in the changed scenario as far as demand for cotton in the international and national market is concerned.
However, cotton farmers are now worried over the possible exploitation of private traders in the name of high moisture content in the produce and cut huge amounts in the price and thus farmers will again be at the receiving end though the actual price would be higher.
As per the market norms, 8-12 percent moisture content in the cotton produce would be accepted and a good price should be offered to the farmers. But the chances are high for moisture content percent more than 12 percent due to prevailing bad and cloudy weather conditions.
The officials concerned are expecting nearly 28 lakh quintals of cotton produce this season in Adilabad district. However, it takes 15 more days for the arrival of cotton to the markets though cotton-picking has already started in some places.
Naitham Nagorao of Lokari village in Adilabad rural mandal said he had suffered a lot in terms of crop damage following the rains and now they were pinning hopes on a good price for the cotton.