Cotton arrival drops by 40% due to farmers’ stir in Punjab
BATHINDA: After more than a month of exceptional high arrival of raw cotton, the second biggest kharif crop in Punjab, various mandis in the south Malwa region have witnessed a decline of more than 40% at the designated purchase centres.
Sources attribute low arrival to the engagement of farmers in wheat sowing and participation of cotton growers in the ongoing farmers’ agitation.
According to the data shared by the Punjab Mandi Board, a total of 44,000 quintal cotton was purchased in seven districts of the region on Wednesday. Till Wednesday, a total of 20.50 lakh quintal arrived and almost the entire lot was bought.
Of the total arrived crop so far, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) bought more than 16.50 lakh quintal cotton.
Official sources said since the ongoing farmers’ agitation was more aggressive i n south Malwa, a large number of farmers from the cotton-growing districts have left for Delhi and postponing the sale of the cash crop.
“Cotton is a non-perishable crop and farmers can stock it easily for several weeks. Private players are offering lesser rates as the demand by the industry has been low due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As farmers know that the CCI buys the cash crop till March, they have enough time to sell it for a good price,” said a government functionary.
CCI assistant general manager and Punjab in-charge Neeraj Kumar said that in the last 7-10 days, the arrival of cotton has reduced significantly.
“A few days ago, the estimated daily arrival was around 60,000 quintal and in the last 10 days, it has reduced to 30,000-40,000 quintal/day. As wheat sowing is at an advanced stage, farmers are busy sowing the rabi crop after harvesting paddy. It is a common trend that farmers store cotton to wait if the private buyers start offering higher rates for their produce,” said Kumar.
The trend suggests that this year, the state may produce a record 50 lakh quintal, said the CCI official.
Sources said that the low turnout of cotton in the mandis is not a cause of concern as the arrival is much higher than last year.
State cotton coordinator Rajnish Goel said till Wednesday 20 lakh quintal Kharif crop was brought by the farmers to various purchase centres in various districts. In the same period in 2019, the arrival was 11 lakh quintals.
“Picking of cotton balls is in the third and final stage and 99% of the crop reaching mandis was purchased till date. This season remains excellent in terms of production,” said Goel.
Rubbishing the claims of low prices being offered to farmers, the state and central agencies said the rates are fixed as per the pre-notified terms.
Goel said the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 5,725/ quintal is for the ‘long staple’ with the length between 27.5-28.5 mm varieties sown in Punjab.
CCI official said laboratory testing shows that the length of cotton was around 27 mm and the MSP for the ‘medium staple’ types of fiber is fixed at Rs 5,665/quintal.