Implement ‘cost plus 50% formula' while fixing MSP, farmers' body urges the Union government
The Andhra Pradesh Farmers' Associations Coordination Committee State convener Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao has demanded that the Union government implement the C2 + 50% formula (a remunerative price of at least 50% above the comprehensive cost of cultivation--C2) for Minimum Support Price (MSP) as suggested by noted agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan.
At a press meet on Sunday, the former Minister said that it was unfortunate that the Union government had failed to implement the Swaminathan Commission recommendations. The current government, which came to power promising to implement MSP at 50% above the comprehensive production cost, has deceived farmers by not fulfilling that promise. Despite the assurances given during the historic farmers' protest, the Union government has not formed an MSP committee. Moreover, it is announcing MSPs arbitrarily without even consulting leaders of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and this was highly objectionable, he said.
Mr. Rao criticised the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Andhra Pradesh for focusing intensely on attracting industries, while showing no concern for farmers, who constitute 62% of the State's population. He slammed Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, alleging that no crop in the State is currently receiving even the minimum support price. In Telangana, a ₹500/quintal bonus is being given over and above MSP for A-grade rice. Similarly, governments in Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Kerala, and Odisha are providing bonuses to support farmers. He condemned the Andhra Pradesh government for failing to even consider giving a bonus based on cultivation cost.
K.V.V. Prasad, the state general secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham, said it was outrageous to increase the MSP for paddy by a mere ₹69 per quintal, and demanded that the government fix MSP at ₹3,135 per quintal, which includes 50% above comprehensive production costs.
Y. Keshav Rao, senior leader of the Rythu Sangham, Simhadri Jhansi, president of the AP Agricultural Workers' Union, P. Jamalayya, State general secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Tenant Farmers' Association. D. Harinath, State general secretary of the All India Kisan Mahasabha and others spoke.
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