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Cotton farmers in State see turnaround in their fortunes
Having been denied even a minimum support price (MSP) for the better part of the current season, the cotton farmers in Telangana are now finally experiencing a bit of turnaround in their fortunes with cotton prices soaring to season’s high.
Hyderabad: Having been denied even a minimum support price (MSP) for the better part of the current season, the cotton farmers in Telangana are now finally experiencing a bit of turnaround in their fortunes with cotton prices soaring to season’s high. Thanks to the whitefly attack effect and the prevailing dry conditions that brought the yield to new lows in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana states, the prime producers of cotton.
This apart, a phenomenal rise in cotton seed price has also helped the cotton growers cheer after their traumatic experience till a few days ago where they were offered as low as Rs 3,400 per quintal against the minimum support price of Rs 4,100 per quintal. While Khammam market yard recorded season’s highest with Rs 4,600 per quintal, Karimnagar and Warangal have recorded Rs 4,530 and 4,505 respectively.
In this season, which began on October 1, the total cotton arrivals at all the market yards in the State were 62.18 lakh quintals. Of which, the CCI has purchased 30.13 lakh quintals and the rest was procured by private traders, according to official data as on December 29.
The cotton arrivals in Adilabad district, the biggest producer in the State, were 27.20 lakh quintals. Of which, the CCI had procured 8.01 lakh quintals of cotton. With 9.68 lakh quintals of cotton, Warangal district stayed second and Khammam stood third in the State with 7.44 lakh quintals.
The cotton arrivals at all market yards in Karimnagar were also significant with 4.63 lakh quintals. The crop damage in several northern states due to the whitefly attack, the total cotton output in the country is estimated to be 370.50 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) for the 2015-16 season with a deficit of 12.25 lakh bales compared to 382.75 bales in 2014-15 season, according to the Cotton Association of India (CAI).
With demand from Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries, the cotton price in local markets too have picked up considerably. On the other hand, the prices of cotton seed were increased by at least Rs 500 per quintal. It may be mentioned here that cotton seed is used for extracting oil and cattle feed called as de-oiled-cake (DOC).
Assistant Director of Marketing, Adilabad, T Srinivas told The Hans India: “With Rs 4,550 per quintal, Ichoda market yard recorded highest price in the district. The price may go up further with demand in international market. We are expecting another 11 lakh quintals of cotton to the yard this season.”
Enumamula market yard secretary Ajmeera Raju said that with ginning machines coming up in other districts, the inflow of cotton has taken a dent in the district. However, there was a possibility of arrival of another 10 lakh quintals to the market yard.”
By Adepu Mahender
