The Tamil Nadu Government is commencing the purchase of cotton via the electronic National Agricultural Market (e-NAM) on 16th June, with the goal of setting a fair price with the objective of increasing farmer revenue. The auctions will take place weekly in four regulated markets, located in Mayiladuthurai district; Kuthalam, Mayiladuthurai, Sembanarkoil and Sirkazhi.
District Collector H.S. Srikanth has urged farmers to bring their clean cotton, which is well-dried and sorted for quality (with no plastic sacks), so that they can obtain accurate weights/measurements, and Best Price(s) at auction. When attending, farmers must bring a copy of their Aadhaar card, bank passbook; and register with users at the respective market yards.
The Cotton Corporation of India and ginning mill owners in the main cotton growing districts – Tiruppur and Coimbatore (apparel), Cuddalore/Villupuram, and Theni/Dindigul/Thanjavur/Kumbakonam, etc – have already been notified and invited to become part of the procurement process via the e-NAM platform.
Officials stated that the initiative would increase transparency, competition and access to a greater scope of market for local cotton producers. Farmers are advised to contact their respective market yard for more information.
