Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Telangana Farmers Hit by CCI Cotton Procurement Curbs
Imagine you grew a lot of cotton, but the government's buying agency, CCI, has new rules.
They will only buy a small amount from each farmer, about 7 bags (quintals) from each field area (acre).
Also, they are very picky about how wet the cotton is, saying it can't be too moist.
Because of bad weather like rain and fog, many farmers' cotton has more moisture than allowed.
This means CCI won't buy their cotton, and they have to sell it to other people (private traders) for much less money than the government promised.
Farmers are upset because they worked hard, and now they can't sell their cotton fairly.
They want CCI to buy more cotton from each acre and be less strict about the wetness.
CCI's new restrictions on cotton procurement, including a 7-quintal per acre limit and strict moisture content norms, are forcing Telangana farmers to sell below MSP.
Nearly 80% of farmers are selling to private traders for around Rs 6,500 per quintal, well below the MSP of Rs 8,110.
High moisture content in cotton, attributed to foggy weather and rains, leads to rejection by CCI despite farmers' efforts to dry the produce.
Farmers and political leaders are demanding CCI relax the moisture limit to 20-22% and increase the purchase limit per acre, recalling previous limits of up to 13 quintals.
Concerns are also raised about the limited number of operational CCI procurement centers compared to the announced number.
- Who
- Farmers in North Telangana districts, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), private traders, BRS leaders, former minister Jogu Ramanna, CCI Adilabad branch manager Punit Rathi, and Adilabad MP Godam Nagesh.
- What
- Farmers are forced to sell cotton to private traders at prices significantly below the MSP due to CCI's stringent procurement conditions, specifically the 7-quintal per acre limit and strict moisture content norms. Many farmers' produce is rejected by CCI.
- When
- Currently, during the kharif season's cotton procurement period.
- Where
- North Telangana districts, including Adilabad and Nirmal.
- Why
- CCI's new restrictions on purchase limits and moisture content are causing distress to farmers, who are unable to sell their full yield at the MSP and are resorting to selling at lower prices to private traders.
Telangana Farmers & BRS Leaders
Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)
Cotton Procurement Limits
Telangana Farmers & BRS Leaders
Farmers are demanding an increase in the purchase limit per acre, citing that the current limit of 7 quintals per acre is insufficient and forcing them to sell to private traders at lower prices. They recall that CCI previously bought up to 13 quintals per acre. Some have specifically requested the limit be raised to 12 quintals.
Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)
CCI has imposed a restriction of purchasing only 7 quintals of cotton per acre, based on recent yield surveys for the current kharif season.
Moisture Content Norms
Telangana Farmers & BRS Leaders
Farmers argue that due to foggy weather and continuous rains, natural moisture levels are high. They claim that even after drying, moisture content remains above 20%, and CCI's strict norms (8-12%) lead to rejection. They request relaxation of the moisture limit to 20% or 22%.
Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)
CCI has strict moisture content norms, typically between 8-12%, leading to the rejection of cotton that exceeds these limits.
Procurement Center Operations
Telangana Farmers & BRS Leaders
Farmers and BRS leaders are protesting the low number of operational procurement centers, with only five active in Adilabad despite the announcement of 27.
Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)
CCI is operating a limited number of procurement centers.
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Cotton
- Rs 8,110 per quintal
- Average Selling Price to Private Traders
- Around Rs 6,500 per quintal
- CCI Purchase Limit per Acre
- 7 quintals
- CCI Moisture Content Norm
- 8-12%
- Cotton Cultivated Area in Adilabad
- 4,25,932 acres
- Estimated Cotton Yield in Adilabad
- 33 lakh quintals
- CCI Procurement in Adilabad
- 7,961 quintals
- Private Trader Procurement in Adilabad
- Around 15,000 quintals
Sources
AP minister Atchannaidu writes to centre, seeks support for cotton farmers
Rs 50,000 per Hectare As Compensation to Onion Farmers
AP Urges Centre To Fix Cotton Procurement Issues
State To Aid All Montha-Hit Farmers: Kondapalli
Demand made for purchase of cotton directly from farmers
AP seeks Centre’s help for cyclone-hit cotton farmers
CPM demands compensation for all tenant farmers
Demand made for purchase of cotton directly from farmers
