Cotton Producers in Maharashtra Face Price Challenges

Cotton farmers in Maharashtra are facing significant financial distress due to receiving prices below their expectations. While the minimum price at Warora Mandi stands at $0,72, the maximum reaches $0,924 with an average price of $0,880 per kg. Across many markets in the state, cotton prices fluctuate between $0,72 and $0,84 per kg, compounding the farmers' concerns.

Economic Pressures on Cotton Farmers

Farmers have reported spending $360 to $420 per acre on cotton cultivation. Given these high costs, the current market prices are insufficient to sustain their livelihood. The central government has set the minimum support price (MSP) for long fiber cotton at $0,84 per kg. For medium fiber cotton at $0,79 per kg. However, these MSP rates are still below the $1,08 to $1,44 per kg that farmers received in 2021 and 2022, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and financial hardship among growers.

Cotton Cultivation

Cotton is a critical crop in the economically backward regions of Vidarbha and Marathwada, where farming forms the backbone of rural livelihoods. The state has identified 115 tehsils across various districts such as Aurangabad, Jalna, Parbhani, and others as key cotton-producing areas.

Production Trends and Price Outlook

The central government estimates cotton production for the 2023-24 year at 32.311 million bales. It's down from 34.347 million bales last year, with each bale weighing 170 kg. Despite a forecasted decrease in production due to factors like the pink bollworm infestation and the effects of El Nino. The prices briefly rose to $0,99 but failed to meet farmer expectations and fell once again.

Farmers in Maharashtra are urging the government to stabilize cotton prices and ensure they align more closely with the profitable rates of previous years to prevent further economic strain on the agricultural community. The ongoing challenges underscore the need for robust support mechanisms and market interventions to protect farmer incomes in one of India's predominant cotton-producing states.