Hyderabad: Cotton prices surged above the minimum support price (MSP) in Adilabad, offering a welcome boost to farmers at the peak of the marketing season. However, the rally has been tempered by growing fears that prolonged dry weather and emerging El Niño conditions could significantly dent yields and erode gains from better prices.Traders offered up to Rs 9,260 per quintal for cotton on Oct 22, higher than the MSP of Rs 8,667 per quintal for long staple cotton for the 2026-27 season. The sharp rise marks a turnaround from earlier this month, when the price in Adilabad stood at Rs 7,450 per quintal on Oct 5. Prices climbed to Rs 8,500 on Oct 20 and Rs 8,250 on Oct 21, before touching a high of Rs 9,260 on Oct 22.While the price rise has brought some relief to growers, concerns over crop productivity continue to mount. Farmers in several parts of Adilabad district report that cotton plants are withering, and bolls are bursting prematurely due to inadequate soil moisture. Many fear that if dry conditions persist, yields could fall sharply, affecting overall returns despite the higher market rates.Adilabad district collector Rajarshi Shah said arrangements had been made to ensure hassle-free procurement for farmers. The district has identified 33 ginning mills and 18 procurement centres. Cotton has been cultivated on 4.37 lakh acres in the district, and officials expect substantial arrivals during the season.However, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) did not commence procurement on the opening day, reportedly citing high moisture content in the produce. While private traders are currently offering rates above MSP, the absence of CCI purchases could become a concern if market prices soften or if farmers’ produce fails to meet procurement quality norms.The weather outlook remains a major worry for the cotton-growing belt. Farmers say a spell of rain is crucial to protect standing crops, while agriculture officials have prepared a preliminary report on drought conditions.The impact varies across villages depending on soil type, rainfall received, and the duration of dry spells. Black soil regions, which retain moisture for longer periods, are faring relatively better than areas dominated by red soils.Farmers are hopeful that the strong market prices will help offset any production losses. Yet, with weather conditions remaining uncertain, many fear that a sharp fall in yields could ultimately outweigh the benefits of the current price rally.
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