Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian federal government is stepping up to help cotton farmers in Telangana, a major cotton-producing state, by buying large quantities of their crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This move comes as market prices for cotton have been dropping, putting farmers at risk.
G Kishan Reddy, Federal Minister and President – Telangana, BJP says, the government’s actions are benefiting over 900,000 cotton farmers in the state.
He highlights, a government agency, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has set up 110 buying centers across Telangana. So far in the 2024-25 growing season, they've purchased over 21 million quintals of cotton, which adds up to roughly 155.56 billion rupees.
Telangana is the third-largest cotton-producing state in India, and the government has significantly increased its support to farmers there in recent years. Since 2014-15, the Modi government has bought cotton worth over more than Rs 580 billion, providing much-needed financial assistance to farmers. Additionally, the MSP for cotton has more than doubled, going from Rs 3,750 per quintal in 2014-15 to Rs 7,121 in 2024-25.
The government's support goes beyond simply buying cotton. They're also providing farmers with resources like soil testing, high-quality seeds, fertilizers, farm loans, insurance, irrigation, and warehouses. And they're making sure farmers get a fair price for their crops. The CCI steps in to buy cotton whenever market prices fall below the MSP, providing a safety net for farmers.
The Modi government has set MSPs for 22 different crops, including cotton, ensuring that farmers receive at least 50 per cent more than their production costs. The current cotton procurement drive in Telangana reinforces the government’s dedication to protecting farmers' incomes and providing them with financial stability.
