Bathinda: Even as farmers’ struggle against the three central farm laws continues, the raw cotton purchases witnessed a big jump in January in three northern states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. In January, 37.95 lakh bales (1 bale= 170 kilogram) were purchased from these three states, whereas in the previous combined three months of October, November and December only 15.90 lakh bales were purchased.
Out of the total purchases in the three months till January 2021, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has made almost half the procurement, as per the data compiled by trading body Indian Cotton Association Limited (ICAL).
The ICAL has prepared the estimated target of the purchase of 62.10 lakh bales in these states and out of it 53.85 lakh bales have been purchased so far, 86.71% of the set target. Out of the purchase of 53.85 lakh bales, CCI has purchased 24.76 lakh bales.
Punjab witnessed highest procurement by CCI as it bought 5.10 lakh bales or 61.90% out of total 8.24 lakh bales bought in the state. In Haryana, CCI procured 10.52 lakh bales out of total purchase of 18.49 lakh bales. CCI has made relatively less purchases in Rajasthan at only 33.70% or 9.14 lakh bales out of total purchase of 27.12 lakh bales.
Till December 2020, only 2.24 lakh bales were purchased and in January, 6 lakh bales have been purchased in Punjab taking the figure of purchase to 8.24 lakh bales out of target of 10.20 lakh bales. In Haryana, 6 lakh bales were purchased till December 2020 and 12.49 lakh bales in January, have been purchased taking the figure to 18.49 lakh bales out of the target of 21.05 lakh bales. In Rajasthan, till December 2020, 7.67 lakh bales were purchased but in January 19.45 lakh bales have been purchased, taking the count to 27.12 lakh bales out of the target of 30.85 lakh bales. (See table)
Till January 31, the total of 53.85 lakh bales have been purchased both by CCI and private traders, whereas in the previous cotton purchasing season total 51.27 lakh bales were purchased till January 31.
ICAL president Mahesh Sharda said, “Cotton is being purchased on bigger scale by CCI, private traders and factory owners. Some of the cotton purchases have been made above the minimum support price (MSP) at nearly Rs 6,000 per quintal though initially the cotton was purchased at Rs 4,700- Rs 4,800 per quintal. The MSP of 27.5-28.5 MM long staple cotton is Rs 5,725 per quintal with 8% moisture content.”
An official of Punjab agriculture department said that the cotton purchases were satisfactory and faster than previous season. It is expected that the arrival and purchases may be completed by March.
State | Target | Purchased so far | Purchased by CCI
Punjab | 10 | 8 | 5
Haryana | 21 | 18 | 10
Rajasthan | 31 | 27 | 9
Total | 62 | 54 | 25
(approx figures in lakh bales)
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