Farmers Pause Protest as Government Proposes MSP Plan: Updates from the March

“Protest March by Neighboring State Farmers Paused Amid Government Proposal” Farmers from states surrounding Delhi have temporarily halted their protest march towards the capital following the Union government’s offer of a five-year plan to procure pulses, maize, and cotton crops at minimum support prices (MSP).

The fourth round of discussions between protesting farmers’ leaders and the Union government in Chandigarh concluded late Sunday. The farmers have requested two days to deliberate the government’s proposal within their forums, while other key demands remain unresolved.

MSP, a fixed price by the government to shield farmers from steep crop price declines, acts as a safety net to prevent financial losses.

Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal, announced after the meeting that cooperative societies like the NCCF and Nafed would enter contracts with farmers growing specified crops to purchase their produce at MSP over the next five years.

Goyal highlighted the potential benefits of extending MSP coverage to cereals like arhar or tur, urad, which could reduce imports, replenish Punjab’s depleted water levels, and provide economic stability for consumers.

Under the proposed plan, the NCCF and Nafed will sign contracts with farmers for five years to procure crops without quantity limitations.

The demand to include maize and cotton under MSP was also addressed, with Goyal stating that the Cotton Corporation of India would procure the entire cotton crop at MSP. Farmer leaders are expected to respond to this proposal by Monday morning.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann participated in the talks, which lasted from 8:15 pm on Sunday until around 1 am on Monday.

The ongoing protest, organized by more than 200 farm unions under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), began on February 13. Their demands include a state-guaranteed minimum price for 23 crops, loan waivers, social security benefits, and reform of the crop insurance scheme.

Farmers are also advocating for higher duties on imported agricultural produce to prevent further reductions in farmgate prices, particularly after a year of subdued farm earnings due to export restrictions and climate-related challenges.

On the fifth day of their march, protesters remained stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri points of the Punjab-Haryana border.