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Cotton farmers hit hard by scanty rainfall, crop loss
With falling production as also rates, the cotton farmer in Kurnool district, which was once the largest ‘white gold’ producer in the State, is in for hard days ahead. Half of the farmers in the district depend on the cotton crop cultivation and are facing crisis situation because of deficit rainfall.
Kurnool: With falling production as also rates, the cotton farmer in Kurnool district, which was once the largest ‘white gold’ producer in the State, is in for hard days ahead. Half of the farmers in the district depend on the cotton crop cultivation and are facing crisis situation because of deficit rainfall. Cotton was raised in about three lakh hectares a few months ago. The yield fell because the rain god played truant. As against last year’s price of Rs 6, 000 a quintal, the rate has fallen to less than Rs 4, 000 a quintal. This has been causing worry to the farmers, who point out that despite investing Rs 35, 000 in an acre of the crop, the yield is varying from four to six quintals only.
Added to the woes of the ryots, the government cotton procurement agencies, including the CCI, are accused of being indifferent to the precarious situation and casual to their plight. They quote a price of Rs 4, 700 a quintal, while the farmers say that only Rs 6, 000 will be remunerative. They alleged that the CCI has been purchasing stocks are from the middlemen. Ryots at the Cotton Market Yard have accused the brokers of purchasing their stocks at a low price from their doorstep and selling to the central agency at a higher rate. The middlemen enjoy the blessing of the ruling political czars. Farmers are severely hit by the indifference of the officialdom. If this apathy continues the cotton farmer in the district is heading for ruin.
As there appears to be no hope from the government despite its assurances to do justice, the ryots are set to face a bleak future. Many feel that perhaps suicide is the only alternative left for them as the middlemen are also contributing to their misery. Cotton had once commanded a higher rate than gold in the district. The crop is taken up on a large scale in areas like Adoni, Alur, Pathikonda, and Aspari. The government has even set up a special market yard for cotton. Traders from not only the State, but also elsewhere despatch the yield from the yard to other places.
