Gadwal: Thousands of seed cotton farmers in Bingidoddi village of Aiza Mandal blocked roads for five hours today, demanding fair treatment from seed companies. The protest, starting at 7:00 AM and ending at 12:30 PM, halted traffic, affecting students and commuters.
Farmers claim they have spent ₹90,000 to ₹100,000 per acre on land leases, labor, fertilizers, and pesticides. However, seed companies are allegedly forcing them to limit their supply to 200 packets or uproot the nearly harvest-ready crops.
S. Ramachandra Reddy, former BJP district president, called the companies’ actions “inhuman,” stating they have profited for over 35 years. He assured that the BJP supports the farmers and will fight for their right to sell all their produce.
Nagardoddi Venkat Ramulu from the TRS (BRS) joined the protest, criticizing the demand to destroy the (Sterile) cotton crop after farmers invested over ₹1 lakh per acre. He demanded companies either purchase the full yield or compensate farmers with ₹1 lakh per acre, warning of stronger protests otherwise.
Kuruva Pallayya, BRSV state leader, condemned the government and companies for neglecting the farmers, who expect 6 quintals per acre but face refusal from buyers. He accused the Congress government of breaking promises made at the Rythu Commission.
Gangalla Ranjith Kumar of the Nadigadda Farmers’ Rights Committee accused seed organizers of falsely failing seed tests to take over land, transferring it fraudulently to relatives.
Farmers tried contacting local organizer Nageshwar Reddy, who was in Hyderabad negotiating. He referred them to Thimmareddy of the Seedmen committee, who became unreachable, despite assuring farmers their produce would be bought.
Farmers demand criminal charges against organizers under the PD Act for causing losses and distress.
DSP Mogulaiah and MRO Jyothi promised that seed company representatives would meet at the District Collector’s office tomorrow to resolve the issue. Based on this, farmers ended the protest.
Leaders like Ramachandra Reddy and Kuruva Pallayya warned of district and state-level protests if the government doesn’t ensure full crop purchase or compensation. Protestors declared, “Buy the entire crop or prepare for a war of justice.”
The Bingidoddi protest is a pivotal moment for Telangana’s seed cotton farmers, who seek fair compensation and an end to exploitation by seed companies and middlemen. Tomorrow’s meeting at the District Collector’s office will be decisive in determining the future of this movement.
