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80% cotton arrivals sold below MSP in PunjabKheta Ram, a small farmer from Dharampura village in Abohar, is distraught. Fearing a sharp decline in cotton prices before the mandis get flooded with what was once referred to as “white gold”, he was amongst the first to have picked up the crop and sold it in the mandi.As against the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 7,710 per quintal for his medium long staple cotton, he got just Rs 5,151 per quintal. “I had taken four acres on lease to grow cotton. Now, I have suffered a huge loss because my crop sold Rs 2,559 per quintal below the MSP. I will have to think of cultivating the MSP-guaranteed wheat paddy next year,” he rued.Kheta Ram is not the only cotton farmer in Punjab who is thinking of leaving cotton cultivation. An astounding 80 per cent of the cotton purchased so far in the state has been bought at rates below the MSP, according to the state government’s own data.Of the 6,078 quintals of cotton purchased in mandis of Fazilka, Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar, 4,867 quintals has been purchased below the MSP with minimum rates of purchase ranging from Rs 4,500 to Rs 5,900 per quintal in these districts.The reason for the crop selling below the MSP is that so far the government procurement agency, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), has not started making any cotton purchase. The entire cotton purchase so far has been done by private players, including cotton ginners and traders. As of date, 11,218 quintals of cotton has arrived in the state’s mandis.cotton was cultivated on 1.19 lakh hectares. But the floods that hit the state in August-September damaged cotton crop on 12,100 hectares. Even the other cotton-growing areas not ravaged by the floods have seen high moisture content in the crop.Dr Bhagirath Chaudhary from South Asia Biotechnology Centre, which does extensive work on promoting cotton, said that because of the floods in Punjab, the strength of cotton crop was less than the prescribed limit and the moisture content was higher than the prescribed limit of eight per cent. “As a result, the growers are being paid very low prices by private traders. We have written to the CCI to start making purchases to alleviate the economic crisis of growers,” he said.Balkar Singh, a farmer from Khiali Chahianwali village in Mansa, who is also the vice-president of BKU Ekta Dakaunda, said that yesterday, cotton growers in Mansa mandi protested after the price offered by private players ranged from Rs 5,300 to Rs 6,800 per quintal. “Where will the farmers go when the CCI refuses to enter the market? That is why the farmers’ demand of guaranteed purchase of crops on MSP — the way it is done for wheat and paddy — should be met by the government,” he reasoned.Rajnish Jain, a commission agent in Maur, who deals in cotton, said that the traders were unwilling to pay higher prices because the moisture content was quite high because of the untimely rain.read more :- Rupee opens steady at 88.75 /USD

 Rupee opens flat at 88.75 against dollar as tariff uncertainty continuesThe rupee opened at 88.75 against the dollar after ending the previous session at 88.75.read more :- India Weather Update: September 24, 2025

Weather update and forecast for September 24 across IndiaThe withdrawal line of the Southwest Monsoon currently runs along latitude 32°N/longitude 74°E, passing through Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Jind, Rewari, Tonk, Mahesana, Porbandar, and latitude 21°N/longitude 68°E.Favorable conditions are developing for the further withdrawal of the Southwest Monsoon from additional parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab, as well as parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh within the next 24–48 hours.A low-pressure area persists over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, extending into the coastal regions of West Bengal and north Odisha. The associated cyclonic circulation reaches up to 5.8 km above mean sea level.Another low-pressure area is expected to form over the east-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around September 25. Moving northwestward, it is likely to intensify into a depression over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal off the south Odisha–north Andhra Pradesh coasts by September 26. It may cross these coasts around September 27.Additionally, a trough extends from the cyclonic circulation over the northwest Bay of Bengal and coastal West Bengal–north Odisha to Telangana, between 3.1 and 5.8 km above mean sea level.A separate cyclonic circulation is also present over the central parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level.read more :- INR Drops 34 Paise, Closes at 88.75 per Dollar

The Indian rupee on tuesday lower 34 paise to close at 88.75 per dollar, while it opened at 88.41 in the morning. The BSE Sensex, which hit a low of 81,777 during the day, settled at 82,102.10, lower by 57.87 points or 0.07 per cent.read more :- India seeks WTO consultations with Indonesia 

India seeks WTO consultations with Indonesia on proposed duties on cotton fabricIndia on Monday sought consultations with Indonesia under the World Trade Organization (WTO) safeguards agreement on Jakarta's proposal to impose import duties on cotton fabric.New Delhi informed the WTO that it has substantial trade interest in the export of this fabric.India told the multilateral trade regulatory body, "India wishes to propose that the above consultations be held virtually from September 23to September 26, 2025, or at a mutually convenient date and time."The Safeguards Committee has forwarded to WTO members a notification dated September 16, 2025, by Indonesia, informing them of serious injury or threat thereof to domestic industries producing cotton fabric and including a notification of a proposed safeguard measure in the form of specific duties on imports of these goods.India exported cotton fabric worth $8.73 million in 2024, compared to $6.73 million in 2023.In June, India sought consultations with Indonesia under World Trade Organization rules on extending its safeguard measures on cotton yarn.read more :- Cotton farmers protest against mills in Sirsa, auction halted

Cotton farmers in Sirsa protested against price cuts at mills and halted the auction.Tensions escalated in Sirsa on Monday when cotton farmers halted procurement and raised slogans against ginning mill owners and the government. They accused the mill owners of underpaying them for their crop. The protest began at the new cotton market on the first day of Navratri when more than 150 tractor-trolleys arrived with fresh cotton (narma) and mill owners began initial purchases.The farmers halted the auction as soon as it began. They alleged that mill owners quoted a purchase price of ₹6,000 to ₹7,000 per quintal at the market, but later reduced the price by ₹500 to ₹1,000 per quintal during weighing and processing at the mills. The farmers insisted that payment be made at market rates only. They warned that they would not accept reductions at the mill level.Farmer leader Lakhwinder Singh Aulakh and Arhtiya Sangh President Prem Bajaj arrived at the scene and attempted to mediate. The auction was suspended for about three hours and then resumed after the SDM's assurance.The protest also highlighted another long-standing issue between commission agents and mill owners regarding payment delays due to the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Commission agents say they pay farmers promptly, but mill owners delay payments by up to 45 days, citing GST procedures. They argue that this puts significant financial pressure on commission agents.A meeting held at the Market Committee office decided to hold a joint discussion on Wednesday under the SDM's mediation. The meeting is expected to discuss both the pricing dispute and GST-related delays, with the hope of finding a permanent solution.Several farmers, including Vinod Kumar Pachar of Mattuwala village and Rishi Kalra of Dhingtania, expressed their anger over the discrepancy between auction prices and final payments by mills. Commission agents also reiterated that without prompt payment by mill owners, the current system is unsustainable.Sirsa Market Committee Secretary Virendra Mehta admitted that the procurement process was briefly interrupted during the auction. However, after negotiations, the procurement process resumed.read more :- Cotton production rises in Telangana, but rain and prices remain a concern

 Rupee hits all time low of 88.41 in early trade on weak Asian cuesThe domestic currency opened at 88.41against the US dollar, as compared to 88.31 against the greenback at previous close.read more :- Cotton production rises in Telangana, but rain and prices remain a concern

Cotton production in Telangana will increase, but farmers are worried about rain damage and low prices.Telangana is preparing for the cotton harvesting season, which begins in October. Farmers expect higher yields this year, but are concerned about quality after heavy rains.Officials estimate that cotton production could increase by approximately 5 to 10 percent. Production could reach 5.3-5.5 million bales compared to last year's 5-5.1 million bales. This would make Telangana India's third-largest cotton producer. Each bale weighs approximately 170 rupees per kilogram.However, rain and attacks of sowing rot have damaged the crop. Prices are also a concern. In markets like Warangal, arrivals have just begun. Farmers are selling cotton at 900 to 1,000 rupees less than the minimum support price (MSP) of 8,110 rupees per quintal.In Kumarambheem-Asifabad district, cotton arrivals will only begin in early November."In our district, arrivals will be delayed. Last year, we received around 1.8 million quintals of cotton. We expect a similar number or slightly more, although some losses cannot be ruled out," District Marketing Officer Ashwak Ahmed told South First.At Enumamula Market Yard in Warangal, prices are around Rs. 7,440 per quintal. Since the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has not yet begun procurement, farmers are selling cotton at market prices. Many are afraid to hold on to cotton due to the risk of losses.Cotton is widely grown in Telangana. Major districts include Nalgonda, Adilabad, Sangareddy, Nagarkurnool, Warangal, Nirmal, Asifabad, Mahabubabad, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, and Kamareddy.August rains proved costlyThe season started well. Good early monsoon rains helped farmers sow about 99 percent of the normal area by mid-August. But rains in late August led to the outbreak of ball rot, a fungal disease. Farmers fear it could lead to a 20-30 percent yield reduction in affected areas.In Telangana, medium-staple Bt hybrids are mostly grown, with a fiber length of 20-25 mm. Under good conditions, these yield 10-12 quintals per acre. However, in some areas, such as Adilabad and Warangal, yields have dropped to 6-9 quintals per acre. Pest attacks and stunted growth have exacerbated the losses."The rains came at the worst possible time," said A. Padma Reddy, a farmer from Adilabad.He added, "We were expecting a bumper crop with the increase in MSP, but ball rot has severely affected us."This year, the MSP for medium-staple cotton has been increased to Rs. 8,110 per quintal, up from Rs. 7,121 last season. But prices remain low in markets like Warangal (Rs. 7,500 per quintal) and Jammikunta (Rs. 5,500 per quintal). Traders cite global oversupply and poor quality due to rains.Telangana Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao has asked the CCI to strictly ensure MSP procurement. He announced direct bank payments through Aadhaar verification. He stressed that Telangana's cotton is of unparalleled quality and deserves a fair price.Confusion about MSPMany farmers remain skeptical. A farmer from Adilabad said, "MSP is a lifeline. But if procurement is delayed and prices remain low, small farmers will suffer."On September 19, 2025, Rao met with CCI officials to plan the season. They agreed to set up a command control room to monitor daily operations. CCTV cameras will be installed at procurement centers and ginning mills. Local monitoring committees will check weighing and quality.A toll-free number (1800 599 5779) and a WhatsApp helpline (88972 81111) have been launched for farmers' complaints .The Central Council of Agricultural (CCI) is also promoting digital registration. Its "Cotton Farmer" app allows farmers to book procurement slots. Agriculture officials will train farmers, including lessees, who can register via OTP with the landowner's approval. The minister also warned transport associations against charging excessive fees for transporting cotton to mills.Nationally, cotton production is estimated to be 325-340 lakh bales in 2025-26, up from 294 lakh bales last year. Cotton acreage has declined to 113.13 lakh hectares, but improved yields are expected. Telangana accounts for 15-16 percent, behind Gujarat and Maharashtra.The state hopes that new hybrids, better procurement, and more centers—122 this year—will help farmers. But challenges remain. Seed rot, low prices, and transportation bottlenecks can reduce profits.read more :- Cotton MSP Hike: India's Trade and Exports

Cotton Trade Shifts After MSP Hike: A Closer Look at India’s Imports & Exports From 1 October 2024 to 31 August 2025, India recorded the following cotton trade figures:Exports: 18,63,084 balesImports: 49,03,422 balesOn 28 May 2025, the Government of India announced a new Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton. Following this development, trade activity showed notable changes in the subsequent three months (June–August 2025):Cotton Imports: 9,63,500 bales were imported during this period, accounting for 19.65% of India’s total imports in the stated timeframe.Cotton Exports : 3,15,500 bales were exported during the same three-month period.read more :- INR drop 12 Paise, Closes at 88.31 per Dollar

The Indian rupee on monday lower 12 paise to close at 88.31 per dollar, while it opened at 88.19 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was down 466.26 points or 0.56 percent at 82,159.97, and the Nifty was down 124.70 points or 0.49 percent at 25,202.35. About 1715 shares advanced, 2467 shares declined, and 149 shares unchanged.read more :- CCI Registration Camp for Cotton Sale in Amravati

Online Registration Process for Cotton Sales: CCI Registration Guidance Camp Held for Farmers in AmravatiThe Agricultural Produce Market Committee organized a guidance camp for farmers in Amravati on the CCI registration process. Farmers are required to register with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) every year to sell cotton.The camp was chaired by Market Committee Chairman Harish More. Market Committee Secretary Deepak Vijaykar and members of the Board of Directors were present. CCI experts guided the farmers.To sell cotton at the guaranteed price, the 'Cotton Kisan App' must be used. Secretary Deepak Vijaykar provided detailed information on the app's use. The camp was organized to simplify the online registration process for farmers.A large number of farmers, including former Vice Chairman Nanabhau Nagmote, Directors Pramod Ingole, Ashutosh Deshmukh, Rambhau Kharbade, Cotton Department Head Pawan Deshmukh, and CCI Officer Amit Dharmale, were present at the event.read more :- "Prices lower than MSP, cotton farmers ready to crowd the market"