Cotton picking begins early

Commercial operations of cotton will start 20 days in advance first time in the Telangana state after 10 years, in the wake of early cotton picking and arrivals of cotton produce this Kharif. Commercial operations of cotton in the state may begin before September 25 this season, instead of the usual October 20.

Farmer leaders say there has been good growth of cotton plants this season in the Adilabad district due to timely rains and farmers in few villages have even started picking cotton, plants of which were sown during pre-monsoon or earlier.  

Farmer’s leader B. Goverdhan Reddy said marketing minister T. Harish Rao recently asked the marketing and CCI officials in a meeting to advance the cotton purchases 20 days. Seven new cotton purchasing centres, including Gudihatnoor of Adialabad would be set up for that season.

Rangineni Satishrao, big farmer of Guda village in Jainad mandal, said few farmers who sowed cotton during pre-monsoon period or earlier have already started picking cotton in their fields in Lingi and Kuchulapur villages in Talamadugu mandal and will incur loss if there is any delay in cotton purchases as the cotton purchases as the cotton might get discolored and get damp due to the humid weather.

Commercial operations of cotton are being advanced for 20 days forest time in the last 10 years. It happened previously in 2003-04 and 1996-97, he reminded. The cotton crop ripes in 90-100 days and the early operations will help farmers harvest cotton early. 

He said the conditions for growing cotton were good in Adilabad district but situation was different in Karimnagar, Nizamabad and Warangal.

Adilabad district officials have decided to convene a meeting with leaders of farmers, owners of ginning and pressing factories and CCI officials on September 6 to take the stock of the situation and preparations done to start commercial operation of cotton.

Minister Jogu Ramanna said Transco officials will be directed to supply power  to the cotton ginning and pressing factories from much earlier instead October 23 every year to start the commercial operation .