Speaking with the district collectors, Rao ordered them to turn Cotton and ginning mills as cotton purchase centres like last year. He also released confidence saying that the cotton farmers will show interest to sell the cotton to CCI at MSP.

He also promised to sort all the issues by discussing with the ginning officials in Mumbai. He also ordered the marketing officials to make compulsory arrangements like providing the required machinery, computers and software at the purchase centre.

The centre has announced an MSP of Rs 5450 per quintal to procure cotton and directed Cotton Corporation India (CCI) to take the cotton at MSP. Officials like agriculture department chief secretary Parthasaradi, CCI Chairman Alli Rani were present at the meeting.

Minister for Irrigation, Marketing & Legislative Affairs Harish Rao on Wednesday directed the officials to make 41 cotton market yards ready for purchase by October 1. He also asked the respective officers to draft out a plan for the cotton purchase at minimum support price of Rs 5,450 per quintal.