2 cotton purchasing centres to come up in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: The district administration and Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) have jointly planned to arrange two cotton purchasing centres (CPC) in the district soon. Cotton crop is being cultivated in the district in Bhamini, Sitampeta, Sarubujjili, Palakonda, Santhakaviti, Ranastalam, Rajam, Regidi and Vangara mandals in an extent of 30,000 acres.

Due to lack of proper purchasing centres, middlemen are exploiting cotton farmers every year. Previously only one centre had been arranged every year December last week at Rajam in the district by that time middlemen used to procure cotton from farmers at cheaper price and in turn they sold the same produce for high price.

As per government fixed price for per quintal is Rs 4,100 but middlemen are procuring it from farmers for Rs 3,100 as a result, farmers are losing Rs 1,000 on one quintal cotton.

“For cultivation of cotton crop in one acre, Rs 20,000 investment is required and we are receiving six quintals per one acre. If we sold the produce to middlemen, we are unable to get even investment,” said cotton farmers, B Minna Rao, V Jagannadham, K Shanmukha Rao of Bhamini mandal.

To prevent middlemen role and to provide remunerative price to farmers, the district administration intervened and directed the market committee officials to start two purchasing centres.

Joint Collector KVN Chakradhara Babu directed the officials concerned for arrangement of two purchasing centres at Rajam and Sitampeta by November-end for early procurement of cotton from farmers. “We are going to arrange two centres soon at Rajam and Sitampeta,” said assistant director (AD) for marketing B Srinivasa Rao.