Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on Independence Day where he said that he was standing like a wall against any adverse policy that could impact Indian farmers, the government notified the elimination of import duty on cotton, sending a shockwave among the cotton growers in the country.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Monday demanded immediate de-notifying of scrapping of import tariff and asked Rs 25 lakh as compensation to the family of peasant suicide victims.
The Finance Ministry has notified the elimination of 11 per cent duty on the cotton imports with immediate effect on 19th August 2025 and shall remain in force up to September 30.
“It is ironic that this anti farmer decision was followed by Prime Minister Modi’s Independence Day speech in which he said that he is “standing like a wall against any adverse policy that could impact Indian farmers, fisherfolk and cattle keepers” and “India will never compromise the interests of Indian farmers, fisherfolk and cattle keepers consistent pro imperialist policies couldn’t ensure the protection of India’s interests in the tariff war initiated by Trump,” the SKM said.
The organization said that PM Modi has decided to punish Indian cotton farmers who are the weakest links in the global supply chain.
The decision will result in a reduction in the price of imported cotton which, in turn, will push prices of domestic cotton downwards. Small cotton producers in India cannot compete with large, industrial-scale cotton farmers of the United States who have historically received massive government subsidies.
“This move to scrap import duties comes at a particularly bad time as farmers prepare to harvest their crop. Cotton-growing regions of India are notorious for agrarian distress and death by suicides among farmers. The latest policy decision will further push cotton farmers into indebtedness and aggravate the economic distress and death by suicides,” it added.
The SKM is planning to hold public meeting in cotton growing villages on September 1, 2, 3 to adopt a resolution urging the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repeal the 19th August notification to scrap11% import duty on cotton and immediately declare Rs 10,075 per quintal as MSP at C2+50%.
“A signature campaign and house to house leaflet distribution will be conducted in support of the memorandum to the President of the respective local body before September 10, 2025. If the Prime Minister is not taking immediate decision on the demand then cotton farmers will convene Mandal Mahapanchayat and organize a protest march to the respective Members of Parliament,” it added.
