Chaos at Enumamula Agriculture Market Over Cotton Prices
There was chaos at the Enumamula Agriculture Market Yard in Warangal on Friday due to a disagreement over cotton prices between the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and private traders.
The CCI offered a price of Rs 7,550 per quintal for cotton with a moisture content of 12%. In contrast, private traders were offering Rs 7,000 per quintal, even for cotton with a higher moisture content, ranging between 13% and 18%. This price difference upset the farmers, leading them to stop the sale of cotton for about three hours in protest.
Farmers approached the market yard secretary, P Nirmala, demanding better prices for their produce. During this time, some representatives from farmers’ associations arrived at the market and further fueled the farmers’ discontent.
The market yard secretary, P Nirmala, explained the price difference to the farmers. She contacted the traders, who defended their lower price by explaining that the CCI would not buy cotton with more than 12% moisture. However, the private traders were willing to purchase cotton with moisture levels between 13% and 18% but offered Rs 7,000 per quintal as they claimed to lose 10 kg per quintal due to the moisture content. They also mentioned that many farmers were content with this price.
After hearing the explanation, the farmers calmed down and withdrew their protest. Meanwhile, the police arrived at the market yard to speak to the protesting farmers and ensure the situation did not escalate further.
It was reported that some representatives of the farmers’ association deliberately disrupted the trading with personal motives. Market Yard Secretary P Nirmala told the media that the delay in trading was caused by these association representatives, who entered the market without her knowledge. She added that the matter had been brought to the attention of the Warangal district collector.
