Andhra Pradesh - Warangal   

Cotton ryots go on the a rampage in Warangal

- Photos: M. Murali

Tension in the air: Cotton farmers with their produce at Enumamula agricultural market on Thursday. (Right) The market office vandalised by irate ryots.

WARANGAL: Hundreds of farmers went on the rampage at the Enumamula agricultural market here on Friday angered at the sudden drop in procuring price for cotton.

The cotton which commanded Rs 4,400 per quintal on Thursday dropped to Rs 3,800 on Friday. Other varieties were offered even less price and the angry farmers damaged the furniture and records at the market yard office.

Later in the afternoon, scores of farmers under the aegis of Andhra Pradesh Rytu Sangham staged a rasta-roko and damaged two vehicles parked in the market yard premises.

The district revenue officials rushed to the spot and engaged the farmers in dialogue. The farmers complained that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) officials in collusion with the traders offered to buy the cotton at fewer prices though the market rate was very high. The officials contended that the moisture content was high in the cotton in the latest arrivals and hence commanded less price. The quality was affected by the recent rain and even the rate in international market had come down. Speaking to The Hindu, Joint Collector Ms. V. Karuna said the actual Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton was about Rs 3,000 per quintal. However, due to favourable market conditions, cotton commanded more than the MSP till recently. However, the situation is different now.

After the prolonged discussions between the representatives of farmers and officials, it was agreed to buy the cotton at Rs 4,250 per quintal.

Rythu Sangham leader Mummidi Srikanth and L. Ravinder said traders are offering as low as Rs 2,800 per quintal stating that moisture content is more in the latest arrivals. “Taking advantage of the recent rains, traders are trying to exploit farmers offering even less than the MSP,” they alleged.

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