Tummala orders timely cotton procurement in Telangana to ensure MSP for farmers
Hyderabad: Agriculture and Marketing Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao directed officials on Thursday to ensure timely cotton procurement during the 2026-27 kharif marketing season. He instructed them to establish procurement centres following last year’s arrangements and ensure farmers received the minimum support price (MSP). The Minister issued the directions during a review meeting with Marketing Department officials at the Secretariat on October 22.
During the meeting, Tummala reviewed cotton cultivation, production estimates and prevailing market prices across Telangana. He also examined procurement arrangements by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and facilities available to farmers.
He stressed that farmers must receive remunerative prices for their produce. Moreover, he directed officials to prevent procurement delays and respond promptly to changing market conditions.
Timely cotton procurement amid production concerns
Officials reported that farmers cultivated cotton across 48.20 lakh acres in Telangana during the current kharif season. They estimated production at 29.43 lakh metric tonnes. In comparison, cotton cultivation covered 50.73 lakh acres during the previous season. However, production stood at 28.33 lakh metric tonnes.
The figures indicated a reduction in cultivated acreage despite a higher production estimate for the current season. Meanwhile, Tummala expressed concern about possible production losses caused by adverse weather conditions. He specifically referred to the impact of El Niño across the country.
Therefore, he emphasised efficient management of cotton procurement operations across Telangana. He also called for timely measures based on prevailing market conditions to protect farmers’ interests.
MSP fixed at Rs 8,667 per quintal
The Union government fixed the minimum support price for cotton at Rs 8,667 per quintal for the 2026-27 kharif marketing season. However, officials informed the Minister that the prevailing modal market price in Telangana stood at approximately Rs 9,000 per quintal.
Consequently, the reported market price was Rs 333 per quintal higher than the government-fixed MSP. Against this backdrop, Tummala reiterated the importance of timely cotton procurement and adequate arrangements at procurement centres. He directed officials to follow the previous year’s procurement model while ensuring farmers received the prescribed support price.