CCI to set up purchase centres
KHAMMAM: There was some cheerful news for cotton farmers at long last with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) deciding to open procurement centres in Khammam district in two days. CCI officials visited some places in the district recently and studied trends in the cotton market. As per the announced schedule, the corporation was to have set up procurement centres last month but there was a delay due to technical problems. There has been huge demand for cotton this year in both the domestic and external markets.
This year farmers in Khammam district cultivated cotton in 3.5 lakh hectares as against 2.5 lakh hectares last year. However, untimely heavy rains limited the yield.
With the CCI’s purchase centres delayed, farmers alleged that local traders have formed cartels and pushed prices down. Farmers are hoping that prices will start going up once the CCI enters the market.