Textiles Ministry Reviews MSP Preparedness For Cotton Season 2025–26
Ahead of the Kharif Cotton Season 2025–26, the Ministry of Textiles has rolled out record procurement infrastructure and digital tools to ensure smooth Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations for farmers.
Textiles Secretary Smt. Neelam Shami Rao chaired a comprehensive review with cotton-growing states, the Cotton Corporation of India Ltd. (CCI), and senior officials to streamline procurement and strengthen farmer-centric mechanisms.
For the upcoming season, a record 550 cotton procurement centres—the highest ever—have been operationalized across 11 states. This expanded network is designed to provide farmers with greater accessibility and logistical efficiency during peak arrivals.
Procurement operations are scheduled zone-wise: Northern Zone (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan) from October 1, 2025; Central Zone (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha) from October 15; and Southern Zone (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) from October 21.
The Ministry has placed strong emphasis on the adoption of the ‘Kapas-Kisaan’ mobile app, which enables farmer self-registration, 7-day rolling slot booking, and real-time payment tracking. Farmers have been urged to register by October 31, 2025, to avail MSP benefits. Existing users of state-level platforms (AP, Telangana, MP, and Haryana) are advised to verify their records on the app.
Payments will be credited directly to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts via NACH, with SMS alerts issued at each stage, from bill generation to payment confirmation, reinforcing financial inclusion and transparency.
To strengthen oversight, Local Monitoring Committees (LMCs) have been constituted at every procurement centre. In addition, CCI has launched dedicated WhatsApp helplines for quick resolution of farmer grievances. States have also been asked to expedite the sharing of land records to facilitate seamless farmer registrations.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all eligible cotton farmers receive fair prices, timely payments, and accessible grievance redressal. “Our strategy is built on inter-ministerial coordination, strong state support, and digital outreach, making cotton procurement transparent, inclusive, and farmer-centric,” Secretary Rao said.
