Nalgonda: Cotton farmers of Marriguda Mandal staged a protest on Tuesday evening near Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Cotton Mill in Yeragandlapalli, demanding the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) purchase their produce without any fixed targets.

Farmers expressed their frustration, stating that no cotton procurement had taken place for the past three days. They claimed they had been waiting at the CCI center without proper food or rest. They accused officials of previously refusing to purchase their cotton due to alleged high moisture content. Now, they say, the officials have imposed a daily purchase limit of 1,200 to 1,500 quintals and left the centre locking the gates, claiming the target had been reached.

Farmers lamented that this restriction has led to waiting charges for the vehicles carrying cotton, and the delay has increased the moisture content of their crop, putting them at risk of significant financial losses.

The protesting farmers demanded that CCI officials procure their cotton without imposing arbitrary rules or targets. The protest, which drew hundreds of farmers, caused a major traffic disruption as vehicles were blocked for hours. Police later arrived at the scene and successfully persuaded the farmers to end their roadblock. Farmers have called for urgent intervention of the Collector to address the ongoing procurement issues and ensure their livelihoods are protected.