Latest news with #MinimumSupportPrice
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
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.
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
55 Years of Congress Misrule Behind Farmers' Plight, Says Haryana Chief Minister
Kurukshetra (Haryana) [India], May 30 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister,Nayab Singh Saini criticized the Congress, saying the party that enjoyed the pleasures of power for 55 years is responsible for the poor condition of farmers. In contrast, since taking charge as the 'Pradhan Sevak' of the country in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not only consistently empowered and strengthened farmers but also considered them an important pillar of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) and worked to make them self-reliant. He was addressing farmers from across the state at the launch of the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' held at Kurukshetra University in district Kurukshetra on Thursday. Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister, Shyam Singh Rana was also present at the event. He said that under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, the central government recently announced an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, and he expressed gratitude for this decision. Targeting Congress, he said that during elections, Congress leaders tried to mislead farmers by saying that if Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, the MSP would be discontinued. According to the release, however, the reality is that since 2014, the Prime Minister has continually increased MSP in favor of farmers. The opposition should introspect before questioning the government on farmer welfare and refrain from making statements that harm farmers, said Saini. Nayab Singh Saini said that during Congress rule, Rs 7.41 lakh crore was given for MSP of crops, while the Modi government, in 10 years, provided Rs 23.61 lakh crore. Until 2014, Congress gave Rs 2.56 lakh crore MSP for wheat, while the Modi government has given Rs 5.65 lakh crore for wheat since then. Similarly, Congress gave Rs 1,900 crore for pulses, whereas the present government has provided Rs 98,000 crore. For oilseeds, Congress gave Rs 9,000 crore as MSP, while the Modi government transferred Rs 65,000 crore directly to farmers' accounts. For crops like cotton etc., Congress gave Rs 26,000 crore, while the present government has given Rs 1.33 lakh crore, informed the Chief Minister. He said that these figures clearly show that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently worked to empower farmers and increase their income. The Chief Minister said that the Haryana Government is also working continuously for the welfare of farmers. Haryana is the first state in the country to decide to purchase all crops at MSP. To shield farmers from market risks, the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana was launched, under which around Rs 111 crore has been disbursed to farmers. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana, Rs 6,563 crore has been transferred to the accounts of around 20 lakh farmers in Haryana. Through the e-Kharid portal, Rs 1.48 lakh crore has been transferred to 12 lakh farmers for crop purchases at MSP over the last 10 seasons, saidNayab Singh Saini. He said that being the son of a farmer, he has worked in the fields and understands the struggles of the working class. For him, the welfare of farmers is paramount. Expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister, he said only the Prime Minister could entrust a farmer's son with the responsibility of the state. During Congress rule, farmers were given compensation cheques of Rs 2 and Rs 5. Nayab Singh Saini said that everyone remembers the time before 2014 in Haryana when farmers received cheques of Rs 2 and Rs 5 as compensation for crop damage due to natural disasteRs The present state government, in contrast, has provided much higher compensation. He said that while senior Congress leaders remain silent in public, they are active on social media. They should recall that during 10 years of Congress rule, only Rs 1,155 crore was given as compensation to farmers, whereas the present state government has disbursed Rs 15,145 crore in the last 10 years. Recently, for farmers affected by fire damage to their crops, the government provided compensation at the rate of Rs 30,000 per acre. Every step of this government, he said, is aimed at strengthening the farmer. (ANI)
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Shortage of load workers stalls paddy procurement in Trichy
Trichy: Paddy procurement in Trichy district has slowed down due to an acute shortage of load workers at Direct Procurement Centres (DPCs), leaving farmers anxious as their harvested grains lie exposed to rain. Farmers said paddy has remained unsold for days at DPCs, increasing the risk of moisture damage. "I brought four tonnes to the DPC at Pethupatti in Thuraiyur block. It's been lying there for a week without being procured due to the lack of workers," said N Balakrishnan, a farmer from Mangalamputhur village. The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC), which operates DPCs, aims to procure 15,000 metric tonnes of Navarai (summer) paddy from around 1,000 hectares in the district. Eight temporary centres have been opened for the season. While farmers prefer selling to the government at the Minimum Support Price—Rs 2,450 per quintal for fine varieties and Rs 2,405 for common ones—the lack of workers has brought operations to a crawl. Load workers are essential for weighing, bagging, and loading the grain. "There's a labour shortage. Local workers are unwilling to work at DPCs, so we've hired North Indian labourers," said G Chitrarasu, TNCSC regional manager. With intermittent rains over the past few weeks, farmers fear that the moisture content in their paddy may rise above the 17% limit set by TNCSC for full payment. Between 17% and 20%, payment is cut; beyond 20%, the grain is rejected altogether. "Grains are starting to germinate due to the delay. If the rains continue, we'll face heavy losses," Balakrishnan warned.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Govt deceiving farmers in name of Minimum Support Price: Congress
Govt deceiving farmers in name of Minimum Support Price: Congress NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday accused the Central govt of deceiving farmers across the country in the name of the Minimum Support Price (MSP), saying that the MSP does not even cover the input costs and most of the crops are not being purchased at MSP. 'The MSP has become the maximum suffering for the producers,' remarked party general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala while addressing a press conference at the party office in Delhi. Meanwhile, citing Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar remarks seeking greater involvement of farmers in the country's economic development, Congress said the Modi govt should take Dhankhar's views seriously and lamented that he is ignored whenever he raises concerns about the farming community. Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh said, 'The Vice President's wise words on Viksit Bharat are very timely and appropriate. He should be listened to seriously by those throwing out slogans and filmi dialogues thinking that theatrics is governance.' "Sadly, he continues to be ignored when he raises concerns of farmers - which he himself is," Ramesh said. His remarks came in the backdrop of Dhankhar saying, "Today, when we talk about Viksit Bharat, it doesn't mean what the rank of our economy is. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025: Steel Suppliers From Mexico At Lowest Prices (Take A Look) Steel Suppliers | search ads Search Now Undo To define Viksit Bharat and make it a ground reality, the income of everyone needs to be increased by eight times." The Vice President was speaking to reporters after paying homage to former prime minister Charan Singh on his death anniversary. "This will happen but the farmers need to be farsighted. Today, our farmers are limited only to production. It is my request to farmer brothers that this is the time to increase their involvement in the country's biggest trade which is related to agriculture or animal husbandry," he added. Dhankhar highlighted that the entire food processing industry is based on farm produce and that farmers need to be part of the value addition based on their produce. Meanwhile, addressing a press conference on Thursday, general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala referring to the MSP on paddy announced by the Centre claimed that it was Rs 766 less than the input costs. He said while the input cost of the paddy per quintal was Rs 3,135, the government had announced only Rs 2,369 MSP for the paddy. Surjewala said that the marginal increase in MSP by the government is less than the inflation rate. He said that farmers' costs are rising due to the increase in prices of diesel, electricity, seeds and fertilisers, but the government is not even covering their basic expenses. He also referred to the reduction of Rs 24,000 crore in fertiliser subsidy by the govt. Besides, he added that the government does not purchase all the crops for which it has announced the MSP. 'What is the point of announcing the MSP when there is no purchase?' he asked. The Congress general secretary said that the Parliament's Standing Committee on Agriculture had recommended the MSP guarantee law and removal of GST on agricultural products, but the government trashed that report. He also accused the government of not spending Rs three lakh crore allocated for farming schemes. To assert his point, Surjewala alleged that the govt was merely announcing the MSP but not actually purchasing the crops, he gave details of the quantity of various crops produced versus those procured by the government. For instance, he alleged that 16 lakh 53 thousand tons of barley was produced, but nothing was purchased at MSP. 'Sorghum production was 47 lakh 37 thousand tons, purchase was 3 lakh 23 thousand tons only. Similarly, production of maize was 376 lakh 65 thousand tons, purchase was only five thousand tons,' he alleged.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Centre's MSP does not cover input costs, claims Congress
The Congress on Thursday (May 29, 2025) claimed that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif crops did not even cover the input costs and accused the Modi government of deceiving farmers in the name of MSP. 'The MSP has become the maximum suffering for the producers,' Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala told reporters at a press conference. Mr. Surjewala said the Centre is crediting itself for declaring a higher MSP for crops, but the reality is that the MSP is far lower than the 'cost (C2) plus 50 per cent' formula recommended by the Swaminathan Commission. He said while the Centre has declared MSP, it is hardly buying crops at that rate and farmers are being 'cheated'. 'What is the point of announcing the MSP when there is no purchase?' he asked. Referring to the MSP on paddy announced by the Centre, the Congress leader claimed that it was ₹766 lower than the C2 plus 50% formula. Mr. Surjewala said the right MSP should have been ₹3,135, while the government had announced only ₹2,369 MSP for the paddy. He said even the NDA/BJP-ruled States had said that the input costs were more than the MSP and Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra had recommended MSP of ₹3,260, ₹3,000 and ₹4,783 respectively. Mr. Surjewala asserted that the 'marginal increase' in MSP by the government is less than the inflation rate as farmers' costs are rising due to the increase in prices of diesel, electricity, seeds and fertilizers. He also referred to the reduction of ₹24,000 crore in fertilizer subsidy by the government.
