Haryana's MSP Decision Triggers Punjab Farmers

Saying buying crops worth Rs 50,000 crore a year may be a big promise to encash farmer agitation in neighboring Punjab.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

The Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government's game-changing promise to buy all 24 major crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP)—making Haryana the only such state in the country—has farmers across India jumping with hope of a similar demand.

With the Haryana government already procuring 14 crops on MSP—fixed by the union government and the previous BJP-led Haryana government in August last year—announced the addition of 10 crops to the MSP list, including ragi, soybean, Kalatil (Nigerseed), safflower, barley, maize, jowar, jute, khopra, and moong (summer crops).

The promise was made two months before the crucial assembly elections and during the protest by farmers on the Haryana and Punjab borders.

Within two months of the formation of the state government, Saini-government issued a notification expanding MSP coverage to 24 crops. Now, the procurement of wheat and mustard is already underway, while procurement of sugarcane at a Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of Rs 400 per quintal is in the last leg.

Replying to the allegations of the opposition leaders on how Haryana is providing MSP rate on crops which are not even grown in the state, Haryana Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana told The Sunday Guardian that the government has made this decision to ensure any of the 24 crops grown in the state will be procured on MSP. With the procurement of wheat and mustard underway the government agencies will also procure sunflower, maize, moong, and bajra on MSP later this year, he added.