Cotton and Maize farmers suffer as policies fail, warns Harish Rao

Former minister Harish Rao has strongly criticized both the central BJP and state Congress governments for neglecting farmers, saying their indifference is causing severe financial and mental distress among cotton and other crop growers in Telangana. Harissh Rao visited the Enummamula agricultural center in Warangal, where he interacted with cotton farmers and assessed their problems.

Speaking to the media, Harish Rao expressed deep concern over the economic and psychological pressures faced by cotton farmers statewide. He highlighted that around 5 million acres are under cotton cultivation, but unreasonable decisions by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) have left farmers struggling. He specifically cited the L1, L2, and L3 procurement policies and the restriction of 8-12% moisture in cotton through the KAPAS app, which has forced ginning mills across the state to shut for the past two days.

“Farmers are unable to sell their cotton at the government-supported price of Rs 8,100 per quintal and are forced to sell to middlemen at Rs 6,000, incurring a loss of Rs 2,000 per quintal,” Harish Rao said.

He accused the governments of paying lip service while causing real harm, noting that floods and storms further damage crops, while central regulations and restrictions on cotton exports exacerbate farmers’ hardships. Harish Rao criticized the recent removal of the 11% duty on cotton imports, saying it favors big industrialists at the expense of domestic farmers.

Harish Rao questioned Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, claiming that he has visited Delhi 60 times, and asked why he has failed to raise farmers’ issues with the central government. He accused Revanth Reddy of distributing money during by-elections but failing to provide minimum support prices for cotton growers. He also cited a grave situation where, due to untimely rains, farmers are driven to extreme distress, with 406 farmer suicides reported so far. Harish Rao demanded the immediate withdrawal of the L1, L2, L3 procurement policies, the 8-12% moisture rule, and KAPAS app regulations, calling for the purchase of 12 quintals of cotton per farmer as done last year.

Harish Rao also raised concerns about maize farmers from Chintakunta and Mangapet mandals, revealing that although the government-fixed MSP is Rs 2,400 per quintal, farmers are forced to sell at Rs 1,800, losing Rs 570 per quintal. Markfed (The State Cooperative Marketing Federation) officials reportedly told him that not a single rupee has been released to maize farmers so far.

He demanded immediate release of pending payments - Rs 1,100 crore in bonuses from last year and Rs 1,400 crore for current procurements. Harish Rao criticized the burden on farmers caused by crop insurance, subsidies, fertilizers, seeds, and electricity. He also pointed out that none of the promises made under the Warangal Declaration have been fulfilled.

Harish Rao alleged that eight BJP MPs elected in Telangana have remained silent and inactive, failing even to protect crops from pests and birds. He accused the BJP of favoring big contractors and corporates by removing import duties on cotton and palm oil, putting farmers at a disadvantage. He questioned the inconsistency in government policies for wheat in North India versus paddy in South India.

Warning that farmers’ issues cannot be ignored, Harish Rao said the BRS would intensify its movement if demands are unmet. “We will lay white gold - cotton - before the Jubilee Hills Palace to protest,” he stated. He also urged immediate release of the Rs 15,000 compensation promised for the 20,000 houses damaged in Warangal floods.