With the commencement of cotton plucking in some pockets of the State where its cultivation was taken up early, and with the expected arrival of cotton to the market from October first week, the State Government has requested the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to open its purchase centres in at least 25 market yards by October 10.
At a meeting held here on Saturday to review the arrangements being made for procurement of green gram, black gram, maize, groundnut and cotton this marketing season, it was decided to open cotton procurement centres in 98 market yards by CCI and another 288 purchase centres at ginning mills.
‘Maintain quality’
Minister for Marketing T. Harish Rao asked the Cotton Corporation of India officials to open all their purchase centres by October 20 and also notify 288 ginning mills that have participated in Cotton Corporation of India tenders as designated purchase centres.
The Centre has fixed a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs. 5,450 per quintal for cotton this year against Rs. 4,320 last year.
As the minimum support price has been enhanced by over Rs. 1,100 per quintal, it is being expected that a large number of farmers would prefer sale of the fibre crop produce at Cotton Corporation of India purchase centres.
However, the Minister has suggested the farmers to maintain the quality norms specified by the Cotton Corporation of India, including keeping the moisture content between 8% to 12% and removal of any other material to get the announced price.
Officials of the marketing and agriculture departments, Telangana State Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd (TS-Markfed), Hyderabad Agricultural Cooperative Association (HACA), TS Warehousing Corporation, branch managers of Cotton Corporation of India and representatives of ginning mills association attended the meeting.
Mr. Harish Rao spoke to Chairman and Managing Director of Cotton Corporation of India P. Alli Rani over phone and requested her to take steps for timely shifting of cotton bales and seed from ginning mills and also to ensure hassle-free procurement in Khammam district where ginning millers did not participate in Cotton Corporation of India tenders.
‘Procure green gram’
The Minister directed the TS-Markfed officials to open procurement centres for green gram (9) and maize immediately, which have been fixed minimum support price of Rs. 6,975 and Rs. 1,700 per quintal, respectively.
The Minister also told the officials to get prior approval from the Centre for procurement of black gram, groundnut and red gram too.
Source: The Hindu, India Tuesday, 25 September 2018