Traders are buying moisture-laden cotton in Telangana

06-Nov-2025 03:26 PM

Warangal. Although the Telangana government requested the Union Ministry of Textiles and its subordinate agency, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), to increase the moisture content of cotton purchased at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) from 8-12 percent to 20 percent, its request was not accepted.

Telangana farmers had been trying for several days to sell their high-moisture cotton to the government agency at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), but when they failed, they began selling their stock to traders at lower prices.

According to senior official sources, farmers waited for several days to sell their produce, but just as the moisture content began to decrease, rain suddenly began, causing the moisture level to rise again to 18 to 23 percent.

The CCI refused to purchase at the MSP, forcing farmers to sell their produce to private traders at much lower prices. As part of the agreement with traders, the cotton weight was reduced by 1.50 kg to account for moisture, and an additional 1 kg was also agreed upon per bag.

Farmers urged traders to offer the best possible price, and after lengthy discussions, the traders agreed to purchase the cotton at ₹6,950 per quintal. During the day, 7,400 bags, or approximately 3,600 quintals, of cotton were traded at this price, providing some relief to farmers.

Meanwhile, the president of the Telangana Cotton Millers and Traders Welfare Association stated that strong protests continue against the CCI's allocation system, as it is forcing the closure of many ginning units.

The association submitted memorandums in this regard on October 30 and November 2, but received no response from the corporation. Telangana's 323 ginning mills are facing difficulties purchasing cotton through the Kisan Kapas app.