CCI to Begin Cotton Procurement in Telangana from Oct 21: Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy

CCI to Begin Cotton Procurement in Telangana from October 21: Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy

Analysis:

1. Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy announced that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) will commence cotton procurement operations in Telangana from October 21, immediately after Diwali.
2. Procurement will take place at 122 centres across the state, ensuring wide accessibility for farmers.
3. The Minister urged farmers to book time slots through the Kapas Kisan app to avoid long queues and delays at procurement centres.
4. Farmers have been advised to seek assistance from agriculture officers and progressive farmers for smooth registration and slot booking.
5. Mr. Reddy emphasized that cotton moisture content must not exceed 12% for farmers to be eligible for procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
6. The Kapas Kisan app, available in nine Indian languages, provides detailed information on procurement centres and ginning mills, promoting efficiency and transparency.
7. The Minister cautioned farmers to avoid middlemen, stressing that the app ensures direct access and transparency in the procurement process.
8. He announced that the MSP for long-staple cotton has been raised to ₹8,110 per quintal, a significant increase from ₹4,050 in 2014.
9. The Central Government has spent nearly ₹58,000 crore in Telangana over the past decade to support cotton procurement and ensure farmer welfare.
10. Highlighting Telangana’s agricultural success, Mr. Reddy noted that the state is now India’s top cotton-producing region, with 45.34 lakh acres under cultivation and over 22 lakh farmers engaged in cotton farming.
11. The Minister urged the adoption of high-density plantation techniques, referencing the Akola model in Maharashtra as a successful example, and instructed officials to organize farmer training visits to enhance productivity and best practices.

Static Part:

1. Cotton Corporation of India (CCI):
   • A Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Textiles, established in 1970.
   • Primary objective: To safeguard cotton farmers’ interests through procurement at MSP operations whenever market prices fall below support levels.
2. Kapas Kisan App:
   • A digital platform developed by CCI to facilitate online registration, slot booking, and information dissemination related to cotton procurement.
   • Enhances transparency, efficiency, and reduces the role of intermediaries.
3. Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Cotton (2024–25):
   • Long-staple cotton: ₹8,110 per quintal.
   • Medium-staple cotton: ₹7,121 per quintal.
   • Announced by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) under the Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
4. Telangana – Cotton Profile:
   • Leading cotton-producing state in India.
   • Cultivation area: Over 45 lakh acres.
   • Farmers involved: Approximately 22 lakh.
   • Known for superior-quality long-staple cotton and significant contribution to India’s textile exports.
5. High-Density Cotton Planting (HDPS):
   • An advanced cultivation technique that increases yield per acre by using compact planting geometry and improved hybrid seeds.
   • Successfully implemented in Akola, Maharashtra, and now being promoted in Telangana.
     
     Updated - October 18, 2025 8:31 AM | News On Air