The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has bought about 41 per cent of the total cotton produced in south Malwa districts after it resumed operations two weeks ago.
According to official data, about 44,000 quintal cotton has been procured from Fazilka and 41,000 quintal from Mansa district since April 14. The central agency is estimated to have bought cotton worth Rs 54 crore after it resumed procurement on April 14. Cotton purchase was suspended after curfew was imposed in Punjab on March 23 due to Covid-19 outbreak.
The CCI started procurement in October last year after private players were paying farmers less than the MSP. By March 21, when purchase had to be suspended, CCI had disbursed Rs 850 crore to cotton growers. For purchase from April 14 onwards, CCI had already paid Rs 25 crore to farmers and the process to clear dues of Rs 29 crore is on.
