Telangana: Cotton Woes: Rains Ruin Yields, Prices Plunge
Farmers Grapple with Crop Damage
Heavy rains have devastated cotton fields in Khammam district, leading to wilted plants and fallen blooms. Many farmers who switched from chilies last year now face reduced harvests, with pods failing to open fully. This has left them with far less produce than expected, compounding their hardships.
Market Struggles Intensify
At the Khammam agricultural market, cotton from nearby districts like Suryapet and Bhadradri Kothagudem arrives daily, but prices remain disappointingly low. Private traders set rates through auctions, offering between 5,100 and 7,100 rupees per quintal, averaging around 6,150. Farmers worry about further quality issues if they store the crop at home amid ongoing showers.
Delay in Support Systems
Harvesting began about 20 days ago, yet Cotton Corporation of India procurement centers have not opened, forcing sales to private buyers at below-minimum support levels. The minimum support price stands at 8,110 rupees per quintal, but no farmer has received it so far. Traders cite poor fiber quality to justify cuts, leaving growers in a bind.
High Input Costs Add to Burden
Cultivation expenses reach 25,000 rupees per acre, plus daily labor wages of 400 rupees for picking. With yields dropping due to root rot and blackening pods, profits evaporate quickly. Farmers note that timely CCI intervention could add 1,000 to 1,500 rupees per quintal, easing labor and other outlays.
Personal Tales of Loss
One farmer with two acres reported just 10 bags from the first picking, sold at 6,000 rupees per quintal after rain-induced damage. He plans to clear fields for maize next, frustrated by repeated setbacks. Another, leasing six acres, spent heavily only to see pods spoil, fetching just 6,300 rupees per quintal for 48 bags.
Broader Cultivation Trends
Cotton spans 234,182 acres in Khammam this season, with thousands of bags (45-50 kg each) flooding the market since post-Dasara. Initial favorable weather raised hopes, but late rains dashed them. Many now consider switching crops to recover lease and input costs.
- Root diseases from excess moisture have hit hard, reducing output by up to half in some fields.
- Private sales dominate as CCI delays persist, potentially starting later in the month.
- Farmers urge quicker center openings to secure fair returns and avoid distress.
Calls for Action Grow
With no CCI presence, traders hold sway, prompting demands for immediate setup of buying points. This could stabilize incomes and prevent further losses. As the season progresses, attention turns to how authorities address these mounting challenges.
Outlook for Recovery
Some fields may yield a second picking, but overall prospects dim without price support. Shifting to alternatives like maize offers a glimmer of hope for covering debts. The situation highlights the need for resilient farming strategies amid unpredictable weather.