The Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) has signed a MoU with Maharashtra to create a value chain with final market linkages for cotton farmers in Vidarbha. Special emphasis will be given to farmers’ training, education and awareness so that they can plan and produce quality crop that is marketable and benefit from the existing infrastructure of MCX.

MCX will partner with the agriculture department and other agencies to work closely with farmer producer organisations and help them connect to the MCX's organized market network for building their capabilities. The aim is to improve the lives of farmers in the Vidarbha region. MCX already has accredited warehouses in Yavatmal and Jalna and plans to provide delivery facilities in three or more new locations under the mission.

Commodity exchanges greatly influence a large section of society due to the trading of various agro commodities, base metals and bullion. The cotton futures market provides an efficient platform for farmers to move up the value chain and increase their realisations, use the MCX mechanism to deliver and/or hedge to get remunerative prices. This would support farmers in their upliftment and contribute to doubling their incomes by 2022.

The Multi Commodity Exchange, set up in 2003, is a platform for commodity traders that facilitates online trading, settlement and clearing of commodity futures transactions.