Tamil Nadu, Jun 17 (KNN) Cotton farmers in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, are facing severe economic distress due to a sharp decline in cotton prices.

Despite the government-set minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 66 per kilogram, local traders are purchasing cotton at only Rs 40 to Rs 46 per kilogram.

The situation is compounded by recent untimely rains that have reduced yields. Farmers report harvesting only 2 to 2.5 quintals per acre, compared to the usual 4 to 4.5 quintals.

With high cultivation costs of around Rs 50,000 per acre, many farmers are unable to recover their investments.

P. Balasubramanian, Alathur Panchayat president, stated that the low procurement prices have pushed farmers into debt.

Farmer R. Kavya shared her disappointment, saying the price drop has left her in a hopeless situation, unable to fund her children's education or home improvements as planned, reported Hindu.

Farmers' associations are calling for government intervention, urging the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to procure directly from farmers at the MSP.

However, officials note that CCI involvement comes with logistical challenges that farmers must overcome collectively.

The Agriculture Department confirmed that the price drop is a statewide trend, with prices significantly lower than last year's Rs 80 to Rs 110 per kilogram.

In Nagapattinam alone, cotton is cultivated on 2,700 hectares, with crops on 1,300 hectares already lost to unseasonable rain.

The Agriculture Marketing Department plans to open a regulated market for cotton in the district soon, but attracting traders willing to pay higher prices remains a challenge.

(KNN Bureau)