The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Crisis not of our making, say CCI officials

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 13, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Crisis not of our making, say CCI officials

By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao

WARANGAL, FEB. 12. Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) officials have said they have made the second highest procurement of cotton in the country in Warangal and have denied the allegations of public representatives.

Of the total procurement of the branch of 11,04,551 quintals, in Warangal district alone the CCI procured 7,59,991 quintals worth Rs. 150 crore. "This is the highest procurement ever made in the district and second highest in the country, the first being Guntur district," according to the Branch Manager, S.K. Das.

Fall in price

The drastic fall in the price of cotton has been attributed to the increased area of cultivation, increased production across the world, low export demand and poor quality of the produce owing to use of a variety of seed unauthorised by the Government and higher moisture content.

As per the recommendations of the Government, the CCI is supposed to purchase Bunny and Brahma variety of cotton. But, these varieties were sown only in around 20,000 hectares of the total area of 1.59 lakh hectares in the district.

``We are compelled to buy cotton, particularly to protect farmers. As against the stipulation to buy cotton with 8 per cent of moisture content, we are also buying it with 15 per cent," Mr. Das has contended.

When asked about allegations of colluding with traders, Mr. Das has explained that as per the bye-laws of the agricultural market, whoever is engaged in activity at the market is a farmer. However, following complaints from the farming community, the CCI has opened a separate purchasing counter to deal with farmers directly.

Cotton ryots' woes<56>

Increased area of cultivation.<18>

Competition from other countries.

Low export demand.

Poor quality of produce.<18>

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