A delegation from the Telangana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Commission met with Governor Jishnu Dev Varma at Raj Bhavan on Monday to highlight the severe challenges confronting cotton cultivators across the state.
Procurement Delays and App Registration Woes
The team, led by Commission Chairman M Kodanda Reddy and including member Bhumi Sunil, brought urgent attention to the delayed opening of procurement centers by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). This delay has created significant hurdles for farmers who are now required to register on the newly introduced Kapas Kisan app to sell their produce.
Adding to their difficulties, farmers face a restrictive limit of only seven quintals of cotton per acre, despite having cultivated cotton across a massive 4.8 million acres in Telangana this season.
Cyclone Damage and Regulatory Challenges
The commission informed the governor that farmers have already suffered substantial losses due to heavy rainfall and Cyclone Montha. The existing CCI regulations are exacerbating the situation for those already reeling from weather-related damage.
Kodanda Reddy detailed how complaints from distressed farmers across the state have been flooding the commission's office, prompting the urgent meeting with the governor. The team also expressed strong reservations about the central government's draft Seed Act 2025, noting that opinions among the state's farmers and agricultural associations remain divided on this proposed legislation.
Governor's Response and Future Action
Governor Jishnu Dev Varma responded positively to the commission's petition regarding the cotton farmers' crisis. He assured the delegation that he would raise the CCI procurement issues with central authorities. Furthermore, the governor requested a follow-up meeting to delve deeper into the details and concerns surrounding the draft Seed Act.
