Union Minister Giriraj Singh Announces 550 Cotton Procurement Centres for Kharif Season 2025
Good news for cotton farmers across India! Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh has revealed plans to set up a record 550 procurement centres nationwide for the upcoming kharif marketing season, starting October 1. These centres will help farmers sell their cotton at the minimum support price (MSP), ensuring they get fair and remunerative rates for their harvest.
The government is committed to protecting cotton farmers and making their lives easier. Minister Singh emphasized the goal of creating a digitally empowered cotton ecosystem. This means all operations—from cotton procurement to payments—will be completely paperless and transparent, giving farmers more trust in MSP procedures.
In a key meeting with top officials, including Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary of Textiles, the government reviewed its plans for the new season. They agreed on clear rules for setting up these procurement centres. Factors like the size of cotton farms, availability of support yards at markets, and nearby processing factories were considered to ensure smooth operations.
The procurement process will begin in different regions on specific dates: October 1 in North Indian states, October 15 in Central India, and October 21 in Southern states. This staggered start helps manage the flow and reach of the cotton buying process.
To make things even easier for farmers, the government has launched a new mobile app called ‘Kapas-Kisaan’. The app enables farmers to self-register using Aadhaar IDs, book slots for cotton delivery, and track payments directly into their bank accounts via the NACH system. This digital platform aims to bring more transparency and efficiency to cotton procurement.
Farmers will also continue to receive SMS alerts about payments, keeping them informed every step of the way. On the ground, Local Monitoring Committees will be established at each market to address farmers’ concerns quickly. State and central helplines will be available for support throughout the season.
To ensure smooth operations, the government is deploying adequate manpower, logistics, and infrastructure support well before the season begins. These measures are part of a broader effort to strengthen India’s cotton economy and help farmers get the best value for their crops.
Stay tuned for more updates as India gears up for an improved and transparent cotton procurement season!
