Khargone Farmers’ ‘Cotton Struggle’: National Highways Blocked, CCI Faces Farmer Protests, Cotton Procurement Halted

Khargone: Farmers in Khargone took to the streets on Monday in protest against the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) after the agency reduced the per-acre cotton procurement quota, sparking widespread outrage. The protest escalated to the point where two national highways were blocked, severely disrupting traffic.

Protest Begins at 11 AM
The demonstration began around 11 AM at the Agricultural Produce Market (APMC) complex. CCI officials announced a reduction in per-acre procurement from 12 quintals to 5.7 quintals, triggering anger among cotton growers. Farmers parked their vehicles at the entrance of the market, effectively halting procurement activities.

Farmers Forced to Sell at Lower Prices
Farmer representative Dinesh Yadav accused CCI of repeatedly changing rules mid-procurement, forcing farmers to sell their produce in the open market at lower prices. Farmers also expressed frustration over technical issues in slot booking and the rejection of cotton deliveries.

Officials Attempt Dialogue
Upon receiving information, Additional Collector Rekha Rathore, Deputy Director of Agriculture S.S. Rajput, and CCI officer Ganesh Dhaskat visited the market to discuss the situation with the farmers. However, no resolution was reached, further fueling the protest.

Evening Demonstration on Main Highway
Frustrated by a day of halted procurement, farmers moved to Bawdi Bus Stand in the evening, staging a sit-in and shouting slogans on the main highway. The protest continued for about seven hours, causing long traffic jams on the Ichhapur–Bhusawal and Khandwa–Vadodara national highways, affecting both passenger and freight vehicles.

Processing Challenges Reported
Sharmila Ninama, Secretary of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee, explained that the procurement was set at 5.7 quintals per acre based on local productivity, whereas farmers demanded the previous standard of 12 quintals per acre. She noted that farmers brought more cotton than their booked slots allowed, leading to excessive stock at ginning factories and processing difficulties.

Procurement Suspended Until Further Notice
In response to the farmers’ demands, cotton brought to the market on Monday night was procured. However, CCI procurement in district markets has been suspended from December 30 until further notice. Farmers in Bhikangaon and Barwaha also blocked roads to protest CCI’s policy.