In a decisive move to ensure robust preparedness ahead of the Kharif Cotton Season 2025–26, Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, led a comprehensive review of Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations with key officials from all cotton-growing states, the Cotton Corporation of India Ltd. (CCI) and Ministry of Textiles officials. Her intervention reflects the Ministry’s commitment to transparent, efficient, and farmer-centric procurement mechanisms.
Recognizing cotton as a critical sector for millions of farmers, the Ministry is steering the national strategy to ensure hassle-free procurement, timely payments, and digital inclusion. During the meeting, clear guidelines were laid down and states were urged to ensure complete alignment with MSP operational norms.
Strategic initiatives include record procurement infrastructure by setting up 550 cotton procurement centres—the highest ever—have been operationalized across all 11 cotton-growing regions, ensuring accessibility for farmers and logistical efficiency during peak arrivals.
To align procurement with regional crop readiness, procurement operations are scheduled in Northern Zone (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan): from 1st October 2025, Central Zone (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha): from 15th October 2025 and Southern Zone (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu): from 21st October 2025.
Digital Empowerment through ‘Kapas-Kisaan’ App: Reinforcing the government digital-first approach, emphasized the widespread adoption of the ‘Kapas-Kisaan’ mobile app. The app enables self-registration of farmers, 7-day rolling slot booking and real-time payment tracking. All the States were advised to carry out extensive awareness campaigns to maximize farmer registration and utilization. Farmers are encouraged to complete registration on the app by 31st October 2025 to avail MSP benefits. Existing users on state platforms (AP, Telangana, MP and Haryana) are advised to verify their records on mobile app.
Ministry reiterated its commitment to full digitization and financial inclusion. Payments will be made directly to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts via NACH, with SMS alerts sent at every stage—from bill generation to payment confirmation.
Grievance Redressal & Ground-Level Monitoring: Local Monitoring Committees (LMCs) have been constituted at each centre for close oversight. CCI has also introduced dedicated WhatsApp helplines to swiftly resolve farmer concerns.
State support for Land Record integration: The Secretary called upon states to expedite sharing of cotton cultivation land records, a critical step for enabling farmer registrations on the mobile app.
All eligible cotton farmers were strongly advised to register promptly and leverage digital tools to avoid distress sales. It was highlighted that the Ministry is committed to ensuring every cotton grower receives fair price, timely service, and grievance redressal through a modernized and accountable procurement ecosystem.
In closing, the Secretary reaffirmed that inter-ministerial coordination, state government support, and digital outreach are key pillars of the Ministry’s MSP strategy for cotton. Ministry aims at transforming cotton procurement into a transparent, inclusive, and farmer-centric approach.
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