Indore: The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), a key agency under the ministry of textiles tasked with cotton purchase, has started the procurement and acquired approximately 17,000 bales of cotton at the minimum support price (MSP) since the season commenced. One bale weighs 170 kg. Last season, the corporation procured around 19.35 lakh quintal from farmers in the state.
The ongoing procurement season started on Oct 24, with CCI establishing a network of centres across several key locations, including Khargone, Dhamnod, Bikangaon, Barwaha, and Khandwa, among others. Currently, 20 procurement centres are operational, facilitating the smooth transaction process for local farmers.
"We have procured around 17,068 bales to date. We are hoping the arrivals will pick up pace in the coming days. The moisture content in the arrivals these days is high, and we are accepting produce with up to 8 per cent moisture," an official from CCI said.
In the state, Khargone, Khandwa, Barwani, Manawar, Dhar, Ratlam, and Dewas are predominant cotton-growing belts. Officials said farmers looking to sell their cotton are advised to register their details via village agriculture assistants through the CM App at Rythu Seva Kendras (RSKs).
In a current estimate released by the Cotton Association of India, it is projected that India's cotton imports may increase to 45 lakh bales in the 2025-26 marketing year, which began on Oct 1. Additionally, cotton production in Madhya Pradesh for the 2025-26 season is expected to remain steady at 19 lakh bales, unchanged from the previous season.
