Cotton moisture should not exceed 12%: Minister Tummala

The Telangana government is taking all necessary steps to support cotton farmers, said State Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, urging farmers to pay close attention to the moisture content in their produce. The minister issued key guidelines regarding the procedures to be followed during cotton procurement.

Moisture limit key for MSP eligibility

Minister Tummala stressed that farmers must ensure the moisture content in cotton does not exceed 12% before bringing it to market yards or ginning mills. He explained that if the moisture level is higher than 12%, farmers will not be eligible for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) as per Central Government regulations.

He advised farmers to check and dry their cotton properly before selling to ensure they receive the full support price.

Appeal to centre for relaxation

Acknowledging that the prevailing weather conditions might naturally result in higher moisture levels in freshly picked cotton, Tummala said the state government has requested the Centre to relax this moisture norm temporarily.

He added that a formal letter was sent to Union Minister Giriraj Singh Chauhan on October 25, 2025, seeking flexibility in procurement norms. Until the Centre responds, farmers have been urged to properly dry their cotton to maintain moisture levels within 12%.

Support and assistance for farmers

The minister also mentioned that the government has set up special teams across the state to assist farmers during the procurement season. Officials are helping farmers register their sales through the “Kapas Kisan” app, with Agriculture Extension Officers (AEOs), Market Secretaries, and District Marketing Officers actively coordinating in the field.

For any queries or difficulties, farmers can contact the toll-free helpline 1800-599-5779, the minister added.