Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, chaired a high-level review meeting on 2nd September 2025 in New Delhi to assess the preparedness for Cotton MSP (Minimum Support Price) operations during the forthcoming Kharif Marketing Season 2025–26, which will commence from 1st October 2025. The meeting was attended by Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary (Fibre), Lalit Kumar Gupta, CMD, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), and other senior officials from both the Ministry and the Cotton Corporation of India, underscoring the importance of cotton as one of India’s most critical agricultural and textile resources.
Reaffirming the Government’s strong commitment to the welfare of cotton farmers, Giriraj Singh assured that all kapas arriving under Cotton MSP guidelines will be procured smoothly, without disruption. He emphasized that procurement operations will remain timely, transparent, and farmer-centric, reflecting the Government’s vision to safeguard the interests of cotton growers. By ensuring remunerative prices for their cotton produce, the Government aims to strengthen farmer confidence while accelerating India’s transition towards a digitally empowered cotton ecosystem.
Highlighting the role of technology, Giriraj Singh explained that in line with the Government’s Digital India vision, all cotton procurement operations conducted by the Cotton Corporation of India will now be completely faceless and paperless. From procurement at mandis to stock sale, the digitization of processes is expected to instill greater confidence among cotton farmers, traders, and other stakeholders. This marks a significant step toward creating a transparent cotton supply chain that supports efficiency and builds long-term trust.
For the first time, uniform norms have been introduced for setting up cotton procurement centres across the country. These guidelines take into account essential factors such as cotton cultivation area, availability of functional APMC yards, and at least one stock processing facility at each centre. As a result, a record 550 procurement centres have been approved across major cotton-growing states. The procurement schedule has also been clearly laid out cotton procurement will begin on 1st October in the northern states, 15th October in central states, and from 21st October 2025 in the southern states.
To simplify access, this season will see the launch of nationwide Aadhaar-based self-registration for cotton farmers. Farmers will also be able to book seven-day rolling slots for selling their cotton through the newly launched Kapas-Kisaan mobile app. This digital platform has been designed to streamline MSP operations, eliminate middlemen, and ensure that payments for cotton are made directly into farmers’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through the National Automated Clearing House (NACH). The SMS-based payment intimation system, which was introduced last year, will continue to notify cotton farmers of their payment status instantly.
Recognizing the importance of on-ground support for cotton growers, Local Monitoring Committees (LMCs) will be set up at every APMC mandi to provide immediate grievance redressal in coordination with state authorities. Alongside these committees, dedicated state-level helplines and a centralized CCI helpline will function throughout the cotton procurement season. These measures are expected to provide cotton farmers with real-time assistance, improving confidence in the MSP system.
The Union Minister also stressed that adequate manpower deployment, logistics, and infrastructural arrangements would be ensured before the cotton procurement season begins. Special attention will be given to facilities such as weighing machines, storage warehouses, and transportation to prevent post-harvest losses of cotton. By creating robust systems, the Government aims to make MSP operations more efficient and farmer-friendly, while reinforcing cotton as a driver of India’s textile economy.
In conclusion, Giriraj Singh reiterated that cotton is not only central to India’s textile heritage but also to the livelihood of millions of farmers across the country. The upcoming Kharif Marketing Season 2025–26 will therefore be managed with precision, transparency, and inclusivity. Through initiatives like the Kapas-Kisaan app, faceless procurement, grievance redressal mechanisms, and a record number of procurement centres, the Government seeks to protect cotton farmers’ interests while preparing the cotton sector for a more modern and digitally integrated future.
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