Hyderabad, Feb 21: Relief for cotton farmers in Telangana as the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has announced an extension of its procurement operations under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme. Originally scheduled to conclude on February 20, the purchase window has now been extended, allowing farmers additional time to sell their produce at government-approved centers.
Officials confirmed that CCI has already procured significant quantities of cotton across the state this season, ensuring farmers receive MSP and protection against market fluctuations. The extension comes in response to appeals from farmer groups who feared losses if procurement ended abruptly.
Agriculture department sources said that procurement centers in districts such as Khammam, Warangal, and Karimnagar will continue operations for a few more days, giving farmers a chance to clear pending stocks. CCI has also assured that payments will be processed promptly to avoid delays.
The move is expected to benefit thousands of farmers who were unable to bring their produce to market earlier due to logistical and weather-related challenges. Authorities urged farmers to make use of the extended window and sell their cotton at designated centers.
