CCI Cotton Procurement Ends Today: Farmers Demand Extension to March 31 Amid Holiday Disruptions
Today, Friday, March 13, marks the final day for guaranteed price (MSP) cotton procurement by the CCI. Despite a previous extension to March 15, public holidays meant centers were operational for only six days, leaving many farmers unable to sell their stock.
Friday, March 13, 2026, stands as the final day for cotton procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). Although the CCI had officially extended the deadline to March 15, the actual operational window was severely limited by a series of public holidays. Procurement centers only resumed work on March 5, and with the upcoming weekend (March 14–15) being non-working days, today is effectively the last opportunity for farmers to offload their produce at government-mandated rates.
The limited six-day operational window has caused significant distress among the farming community. Many farmers report being unable to secure slots on the digital booking system, while others have been left stranded with unsold stock as centers prepare to close. Consequently, there is a growing statewide demand for a further extension of the procurement deadline to March 31 to ensure no farmer is forced to sell to private traders at lower prices.
Despite these hurdles, this season is on track to set a historic record for government procurement. The CCI has already purchased 104 lakh bales of cotton across India, a 4% increase compared to last year. This exceeds the previous record of 100.05 lakh bales set during the 2019-20 season. Telangana leads the nation with 31.70 lakh bales purchased, followed closely by Maharashtra with 27.13 lakh bales.
Market dynamics are also being influenced by the CCI's early sales strategy. The corporation began selling its stocks as early as January and has reduced prices three times to stay competitive. So far, 17.35 lakh bales from the current season have been sold into the open market, which has placed downward pressure on private trading prices, making the MSP centers even more vital for farmer stability.
As the gates prepare to close this evening, all eyes are on the Central Government to see if a last-minute extension will be granted. For farmers in regions like Vidarbha and Marathwada, where cotton is a primary cash crop, the next few hours are critical for securing their seasonal income before the procurement window officially shuts for the year.
