Start procurement of cotton, Punjab Agriculture minister Khudian urges Centre

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian has sought the Centre’s immediate intervention in commencing cotton crop procurement at Rs 7,710 per quintal MSP by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).

The CCI’s absence from the state mandis has left farmers vulnerable to distress sales to private players at below-MSP prices. Khudian said despite 20 per cent increase in the area under cotton crop, due to the state’s proactive initiatives under the crop diversification drive, farmers are in despair due to the CCI’s conspicuous absence. “The Punjab Government gave 33 per cent subsidy on hybrid cotton seeds, besides taking other proactive measures. The farmers, who invested their savings and labour based on the MSP announced by Centre, are now being forced to sell their produce at lower rates,” he said.