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Cotton Crisis Deepens as Opposition Slams Government, Farmers Demand Loan WaiversNagpur: The second day of the winter session began on a confrontational note on Tuesday, with the opposition cornering the state government over falling cotton prices and growing distress among farmers. Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar protested on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan, alleging that the state government was neglecting the welfare of farmers by reducing the import tariff from 12% to zero, leading to increased imports and lower incomes for local farmers.The protest began just seconds after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Cultural Minister Ashish Shelar, Speaker Rahul Narvekar, and Council Chairperson Ram Shinde gathered on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan for an official photo session with students from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).Holding a placard and raising slogans, Waddetiwar accused the government of neglecting cotton growers in Vidarbha and Marathwada. “Cotton must get a fair price. Farmers need fair compensation for their produce,” he shouted while leading the demonstration. The protests gained momentum, and leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) camp also joined in.Speaking to the media, former MPCC president Nana Patole said the government had taken shortcuts in waiving farmers' loans, providing relief only to those who had approached the court. He alleged, “Only 500 crore rupees out of 1,500 crore rupees have been waived,” and said the government's approach prioritized vote bank funding over the welfare of farmers.Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray was seen holding a cotton plant as a symbol of farmers' suffering. He waved it while raising slogans and demanding immediate government intervention. Several opposition MLAs stood with him, holding banners demanding complete loan waivers and bonus procurement prices to stabilize the cotton sector.According to the opposition, market fluctuations and procurement delays have forced farmers to sell their produce at prices far below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). They alleged that government assurances have not been implemented, leaving cotton growers in debt and frustrated.The opposition has warned that they will intensify protests inside and outside the House until the government announces relief measures for cotton growers. With farmers' issues being discussed for the second consecutive day, the Winter Session is expected to be more chaotic.Earlier in the morning, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, while briefing CPA students, targeted the opposition, saying that raising slogans on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan is not "parliamentary procedure," as the real discussions and decisions take place inside the House.Read More :- The rupee rose 26 paise to close at 89.88 per dollar.

On tuesday, the Indian rupee rose 26 paise to close at 89.88 per dollar, compared to its opening price of 90.14 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was down 436.41 points, or 0.51 percent, at 84,666.28, and the Nifty was down 120.9 points, or 0.47 percent, at 25,839.65. About 2,403 shares advanced, 1,455 shares declined, and 127 shares remained unchanged.Read More :-  Brazil has overtaken India to become Bangladesh's top cotton supplier.

Brazil Becomes Bangladesh’s Top Cotton SupplierAccording to a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) report, Brazil has overtaken neighboring India to become Bangladesh's leading supplier of raw cotton. Bangladesh is one of the world's top cotton importers and the second-largest garment exporter.In the 2024-25 marketing year (MY25), which began in August, Bangladesh imported 8.28 million bales of raw cotton. Brazil supplied approximately 1.9 million bales, accounting for 23 percent of total imports.India was the second-largest supplier with 1.4 million bales, followed by Benin (1.06 million bales), Cameroon (616,538 bales), and the United States (595,902 bales).The USDA report states that Brazilian cotton has become popular among Bangladeshi spinners due to its competitive price, wide availability during harvest, and stable supply.In FY2024, India was the top supplier, exporting 1.79 million bales (23 percent share). Bangladeshi importers purchased Indian cotton in a short period of time, primarily through the Kolkata and Benapole ports, despite higher prices and some quality issues.For the current marketing year, 2026, USDA estimates cotton imports from Bangladesh at 8.4 million bales, a 1.4 percent increase over 2025, primarily due to higher cotton consumption by local spinners. This is a 5.2 percent increase from 2024 imports of 7.8 million bales.The report highlights that cotton imports remained stable during MY25, despite initial disruptions to RMG production following the formation of a new interim government in August 2024 after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled amid a student-led uprising in July.However, domestic cotton production is expected to remain unchanged at 153,000 bales, limited by land scarcity and a long production period, with cotton cultivated on 45,000–46,000 hectares.The annual consumption capacity of Bangladesh's textile industry is approximately 15 million bales, depending on the availability of raw materials, power supply, and yarn demand.Currently, only half of this capacity is being utilized, and raw cotton consumption is projected to reach 8.3 million bales in fiscal year 2025. The USDA estimates that consumption will increase to 8.5 million bales in fiscal year 2026, a 2.4 percent increase in expected imports.The spinning industry uses raw cotton to produce cotton and blended yarn, and yarn production is expected to increase from 1.7 million tons to 1.9 million tons in 2026.Despite increasing imports and use of raw cotton, Bangladesh's readymade garment industry is still expected to import more yarn and fabric.India remains the largest supplier of cotton yarn to Bangladesh due to its large spinning industry, shorter shipment times, and lower logistics costs, while China is the top textile exporter, followed by Pakistan and IndiaRead More :-   Farmers worried due to falling cotton prices

Gujarat farmer distress: Where cotton clouds hang heavy*Overview of Cotton Farming Crisis in Gujarat*The recent economic and environmental challenges faced by cotton farmers in Gujarat, India, have resulted in severe distress, leading to instances of farmer suicides. This summary explores the contributing factors to this crisis, the impact of government policies, and the responses from various stakeholders.*Economic and Environmental Challenges*Price Declines: Farmers faced low cotton prices, around ₹1,200-1,300 per mann (20 kg), which was a significant decline from previous years. Weather Issues: Non-seasonal and excessive rains in October damaged crops, further exacerbating the farmers' financial struggles.*Government Response*Relief Package: Chief Minister announced a relief and assistance package worth approximately ₹10,000 crore, with plans to procure various crops at support prices.Import Duty Waivers: The Union government waived customs duties on raw cotton imports, aiming to stabilize textile costs but adversely affecting domestic cotton prices.*Impact of Import Policies*Increased Imports: India nearly doubled its cotton imports compared to the previous year, leading to a further decline in domestic prices. Industry vs. Farmers: While the textile industry benefits from cheaper imported cotton, Indian farmers receive lower prices for their produce.*Agricultural and Market Dynamics*Production and Acreage: The provisional cotton acreage for 2024-25 is 114.47 lakh ha, a decrease from 2023-24, with yields expected to remain constant. Market Access Issues: Farmers face logistical barriers, such as the absence of local market yards, forcing them to sell produce in distant districts.*Farmer Protests*Suicides and Protests: Six farmers, primarily cotton growers, have died by suicide in recent months, prompting protests against the government's policies and lack of adequate price support.Challenges in Cotton ProductionInput Costs: Rising costs of seeds and pesticides, coupled with stagnant cotton prices, have discouraged farmers from cultivating cotton.Shift to Alternative Crops: Many farmers are shifting to peanuts, pulses, or traditional cotton varieties like kala kapas to reduce input costs.*Industry Perspectives*Quality and Yield Issues: Low-quality seeds and reduced yields are major challenges. Farmers are advocating for new seed approvals to enhance productivity.Impact on Ginning Mills: The duty-free import policy benefits spinning mills but poses a threat to ginning mills, causing many to shut down.*Conclusion*The cotton farming crisis in Gujarat is multifaceted, involving economic, environmental, and systemic challenges. While government measures aim to stabilize the industry, they often fall short of addressing the root causes of farmer distress. For sustainable solutions, there is a need for comprehensive policy interventions that balance industry growth with farmer welfare.read more :-   The rupee fall 05 paise to open at 90.14/USD. 

he rupee fell 05 paise to open at 90.14 per dollar.The Indian rupee opened at 90.14 per dollar on tuesday, compared to the previous close of 90.09.read more :-  Rupee falls 03 paise to close at 90.09 per dollar

On Monday, the Indian rupee fell 03 paise to close at 90.09 per dollar, compared to its opening price of 90.06 in the morning.At the close, the Sensex fell 609.68 points, or 0.71 percent, to 85,102.69, and the Nifty fell 225.90 points, or 0.86 percent, to 25,960.55. Around 824 shares advanced, 3,146 declined, and 145 remained unchanged.read more :-   Soybeans worth Rs 83 lakh purchased at guaranteed price in Satara

Soybean Procurement: Satara District Purchases Soybeans Worth ₹83 Lakh at Guaranteed PriceTwo soybean procurement centers in Satara district, Koregaon and Masur (Tal. Karhad), have been opened at a base price of ₹5,328 per quintal, and by the end of December 5th, they had procured 1,1561 quintals of soybeans worth ₹83,17,000. The remaining four approved centers have not yet been operational.This year, soybeans were sown on 86,000 hectares in the district. Immediately after harvesting, most farmers began selling large quantities of soybeans at rates ranging from ₹4.50 to ₹4,700.Procurement centers should have been operational at that time at the base price; however, registration for the Satara, Phaltan, Wai, Koregaon, Karhad, and Masur centers in the district began on October 15th, with labor charges. However, the actual opening of these centers only began in the first week of November. Therefore, these centers have not received much response except in Koregaon and Masur.A total of 1,101 quintals of lentils and 460 quintals of masoor have been purchased at the Koregaon center, and a total of 1,561 quintals of lentils have been purchased at a rate of ₹5,328 per quintal. Seventeen farmers have registered at the Satara center in the district, 142 at the Phaltan center, and 61 at the Wai center; but the centers have not yet been operational.Low Response from FarmersSince soybean is the main crop during the Kharif season, production is highest. Due to rains during harvest time and a lack of procurement centers, there has been a low response from soybean farmers. Although farmers are receiving low prices due to the conditions at the center and transportation problems, traders have sold their soybean.Due to the lack of improvement in prices over the past three years, the storage capacity for soybeans has also decreased. To benefit farmers, the government is demanding that soybean centers be established before the harvest and at one in every four to five villages, rather than at the taluka level. read more :- Cotton procurement process slows in Nanded, buying slows down

Maharashtra: Cotton Procurement: Cotton procurement in Nanded is progressing at a very slow pace.Nanded: The procurement process at various cotton procurement centers in Nanded district has still not picked up pace. As of December 1, a total of 28,847 quintals of cotton had been procured from 1,933 farmers in the district. A total of 14,619 farmers had registered to sell cotton in the district, of which 5,051 entries have been approved by the market committee, and the number of pending entries is 8,107. The highest quantity of cotton, 11,908 quintals, was procured at the New Bharat Cotton Naigaon Center.Cotton procurement in the district is being done according to the central government's minimum guaranteed price. The price for medium-yarn cotton is ₹7,710 per quintal, while the price for long-yarn cotton is ₹8,110 per quintal. Procurement is taking place at nine locations in the district, namely Kinwat, Ardhapur, Bhokar, Naigaon, and Hadgaon talukas.4650.05 quintals of cotton was purchased from 282 farmers at Salasar Ginning Center in Kaldagaon, Ardhapur taluka. 1559 farmers have registered at this center. 2391 quintals were purchased at Nataraj and Balaji Ginning Center, Tasga (Tal. Hadgaon). A total of 1658 farmers have registered at Nataraj and Balaji Ginning Centers. 2923 quintals of cotton was purchased from 218 farmers at Venkatesh Cotton, Bhokar.3161 farmers have registered at this center. 11,908 quintals of cotton was purchased at New Bharat Cotton, Naigaon. The highest number of 5023 farmers have registered at this center. Of these, cotton from 777 registered farmers was purchased.Three centers, Manjeet Cotton, L.B. Cotton and Mahavir Ginning purchased 5,194 quintals of cotton. Cotton was purchased from 366 farmers. Vijay Cotton, Kinwat, had 1,585 registered farmers. Of these, 1,370 quintals of cotton was purchased from 74 farmers.read more :-“Earning 80,000 rupees by cultivating cotton on barren land”

Haryana: Earning 80,000 Rupees per acre by growing cotton on barren landWhile farmers in the region rely solely on paddy crops and abandon land they consider barren and infertile, Haryana farmers are earning thousands of rupees per acre by cultivating cotton on that very land.Farmer Naveen Hooda, who leased 120 acres of fallow land in village Ravan, 10 kilometers away, has been cultivating cotton for the past 5-6 years, earning over 75,000 to 80,000 Rupees per acre. The farmer explained that he has been cultivating cotton on this land, which lacks irrigation facilities, relying solely on rain for the past few years.Furthermore, in villages like Pattharchuwa, farmers from Haryana like Ramhet, Jagbir, and Kuldeep are also cultivating cotton on similar land. They explained that a plot of 50 to 100 acres is not available in Haryana, so they come to Chhattisgarh to cultivate cotton. He said that farmers in Chhattisgarh and the region could also do this if they wanted to, but perhaps they aren't interested. When this was discussed with Ramprasad Yadav, Dars Sahu, Jeevan Sahu, and Krishna of Tildabandha, they said that they used to grow pulses and oilseeds on the land where they grow paddy, but are unable to do so due to the monkey menace.They don't have much knowledge about growing crops like sugarcane and cotton. Gradually, as awareness grows, the production of these crops will certainly increase, leading to increased profits. The farmers explained that this crop, which takes six to eight months to mature, costs approximately ₹25,000 per acre for seeds, plowing the land, applying fertilizers and pesticides, and harvesting the cotton. Furthermore, there are additional costs for land lease and crop transportation. He told that the production of cotton per acre is about 18 quintals, which after being harvested by local labourers coming from Punjab at the rate of ₹8 per kg, is taken to places like Berla in Chhattisgarh and Nagpur in Maharashtra and sold at the rate of about ₹7000 to ₹8000 per quintal.read more :- Rupee open Falls 08 Paise to 90.06 /USD

Rupee falls 08 paisa to open at 90.06 per dollarIndian rupee opened at 90.06 per dollar on monday versus previous close of 89.98.read more :- “2024-25: State-wise CCI Cotton Sales Details”

State-wise CCI Cotton Sales Details – 2024-25 SeasonThe Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) kept its prices unchanged this week and sold approximately 92,26,300 bales for the season 2024-25. This represents around 92.26% of the total cotton procured so far this season.A state-wise breakdown of sales indicates strong activity from Maharashtra, Telangana, and Gujarat, which together account for over 85.18% of the total sales to date.This data underscores CCI’s proactive efforts in stabilizing the cotton market and ensuring steady supply across key cotton-producing states.