Cotton growers anxious over textile min-industry meet today

Nagpur: A likely meeting on Monday between textile ministry and industry stakeholders over rising cotton rates has left the farmers in Vidarbha anxious.
With smart phones being used even in the hinterland, media reports of Monday’s meeting have been quickly shared in villages. As cotton growers of the region are now waiting for more news on the meet, this has also left them miffed.
The textile industry has been demanding measures to reduce cotton rates, which have touched Rs10,000 a quintal, and cut in import duty on the commodity.
Farmers say this would take away the once-in-decade opportunity for them to get a decent rate.
“A number of farmers have received the news about the meeting on mobile. As we are following the news for the final outcome, this has left the farmers disappointed and many want to register their protest,” said Nitin Khadse from Jalka village in Yavatmal — infamous for agrarian crisis.
“For years, cotton prices have been fetching minimum support price (MSP) or slightly below it. Now, if the rates are high for a single year, the industry is seeking government intervention,” he said.
Arun Sekhsaria, managing director of export firm DD Cotton, said, “There seems to be no need for intervention. It’s part of the business as even farmers’ income needs to go up.”
“Why should the farmers compromise always. Even the industry and the consumer should be ready to shell out more,” said Anil Ghanwat, president of Shetkari Sanghatana. Ghanwat was also a member of the Supreme Court-appointed committee on the now scrapped three farm laws.
Meanwhile at Yavatmal, cotton grower Ravindra Wadai says his output is less than last year’s, but may earn more. Wadai has held on to close to 80 quintals of cotton harvest, in the hope to get a better rate. It would be a loss if any government decision brings down the rates, he says.
Farm activist Vijay Jawandhia says even if imports are eased, it may have little impact, because even the international rates are on the higher side. There are chances that a section of players may import small quantity at parity price only to dampen the domestic market sentiment.
“It’s not that the farmers are reaping super profits. In 2019-20, cotton was sold even at Rs4,500 a quintal, which was below the MSP. In 2011, the rates were at Rs6,500. It’s not much if it touches Rs10,000 a decade later. The input prices have also gone up,” says Ganesh Nanote, a farmer from Akola.