New Delhi | Rayat Samachar
The Centre’s decision to abolish the 11% import duty on cotton as well as the Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess (AIDC) amounts to a “death sentence” for India’s cotton farmers, alleged the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). This was stated by Comrade Rajan Kshirsagar of the Maharashtra Rajya Kisan Sabha.
The Finance Ministry notification came into effect on August 19, 2025, and will remain valid until September 30. The government has claimed the move is in “public interest.” However, farmers’ unions fear this will crash cotton prices and push millions of farmers into crisis.
The SKM accused the Modi government of “betraying farmers with its double standards.” “What happened to the promises of doubling farmers’ income and bringing a law on MSP? Where is that ‘top priority’ now?” the SKM questioned.
The Morcha pointed out that the Cotton MSP announced by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) for the Kharif season is ₹7,710, which is ₹2,365 less than the C2+50% formula rate of ₹10,075. Farmers have not received justice for the past 11 years, it said.
India is the world’s largest cotton-growing country, with 120.55 lakh hectares under cultivation, of which 67% is rain-fed. Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Telangana are the leading cotton-producing states, most of which fall within suicide-affected regions.
Against this backdrop, SKM has appealed to cotton farmers across the country to hold Gram Sabhas and pass resolutions to be sent to Prime Minister Modi. These resolutions should demand withdrawal of the duty abolition notification, declaration of MSP for cotton at the C2+50% formula rate of ₹10,075, and fulfillment of the 2014 BJP manifesto promise, Comrade Rajan Kshirsagar of Maharashtra Rajya Kisan Sabha stated.