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Farmers' Body Lashes Out at Government's Cotton Import Duty Decision

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has condemned the Union government's decision to scrap the 11% import duty and the Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess (AIDC) on cotton, terming it a "death blow" to over 60 lakh cotton-farming households. The SKM has warned of massive agitation if the notification is not immediately withdrawn and has demanded that the Centre fix the Minimum Support Price (MSP) at C2+50% for cotton and announce Rs 25 lakh compensation for the families of farmers who die by suicide.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SKM has criticized the government's decision to scrap the import duty and AIDC on cotton, citing it as a "death blow" to over 60 lakh cotton-farming households.
  • The farmers' body has demanded that the Centre fix the MSP at C2+50% (Rs 10,075 per quintal) for cotton and announce Rs 25 lakh compensation for the families of farmers who die by suicide.
  • The SKM has opposed any Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that hurts farmers' interests and has warned of a massive agitation if the notification is not immediately withdrawn.
  • Farmers are already battling indebtedness and high suicide rates, and the decision will further distress cotton-growing regions as they prepare for harvest.
  • The SKM has planned protests and public meetings in cotton villages to mobilize support for a memorandum to local bodies and the PM, with dates to be announced if demands are ignored.
  • An SKM delegation will visit Vidarbha in Maharashtra, where farmer suicides remain acute, on September 17-18.
  • The estimated loss for farmers due to the gap between MSP and C2+50% is over Rs 18,850 crore in 2024-25, with one-acre farmers losing nearly Rs 31,500.
  • Maharashtra reported 479 farmer suicides in March-April 2025, including 250 cases in Marathwada and Vidarbha in March alone, with families currently receiving Rs 1 lakh in assistance.
  • The SKM has mentioned that India's cotton acreage is 120.55 lakh hectares, 36% of the world total, and that cotton production has declined over the past 11 years.

Statistics:

  • Estimated loss for farmers due to the gap between MSP and C2+50%: over Rs 18,850 crore in 2024-25
  • Estimated loss for one-acre farmers: nearly Rs 31,500 in 2024-25
  • Number of farmer suicides reported in Maharashtra in March-April 2025: 479
  • Number of farmer suicides reported in Marathwada and Vidarbha in March 2025: 250
  • Current assistance for families of farmer suicides: Rs 1 lakh
  • Demanded compensation for families of farmer suicides: Rs 25 lakh
  • Cotton acreage in India: 120.55 lakh hectares, 36% of the world total
  • Cotton production in India (2014-15 to 2023-24): 6.56 MMT to 5.50 MMT

Sources:

  • The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) statement dated August 19
  • Indian Express Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd. article, copyright 2025, distributed by Contify.com

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