Cotton farmers in Andhra Pradesh are set to stage a protest at the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) office in Guntur on December 10, demanding immediate procurement of cotton at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) declared by the government.
Organised by the CPI’s frontal organisation Andhra Pradesh Farmers’ Association (AIKES), the protest will highlight the severe losses incurred by the farmers during this year’s kharif season due to cyclones, heavy rains, floods, droughts, and pest attacks.
The expected yields of 10 quintals per acre have dropped to 3 quintals to 4 quintals, with damaged bolls and discoloured cotton aggravating the situation.
Procurement centres set up by the Central government have reportedly created hurdles, citing high moisture content and imposing restrictive measures, forcing many farmers to sell away their produce to private traders at ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 per quintal, far below the MSP of ₹8,110.
The farmers’ association demands relaxation of CCI norms, immediate purchase of the produce at MSP, input subsidies and crop insurance for losses, implementation of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Commission recommendations, raising MSP to ₹12,000, waiver of GST on farm inputs, government-funded transport, establishment of procurement centres in all cotton-growing constituencies, disposal of 2.5 lakh bales held in CCI warehouses, and a bonus of Rs.3,000 per quintal.
The association has urged all affected farmers to participate to ensure the protest’s success.
Published – December 05, 2025 12:15 am IST
