New Delhi, 7 December 24: The Narendra Modi government remains committed to purchasing all farm produce at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured the Rajya Sabha on Friday during Question Hour. His remarks followed a day of heightened farmer activism, with cultivators marching towards Delhi to demand legal backing for MSP and other concessions.
“I want to assure the House that all farm produce will be purchased at MSP. This is the Modi government, and fulfilling Modi’s guarantee is our guarantee,” Chouhan declared. His statement addressed questions about the government’s policies on MSP and underscored its commitment to farmers.
Chouhan criticized previous governments for their stance on MSP, citing records from when Congress leaders Sharad Pawar, Kantilal Bhuria, and K.V. Thomas held key positions. “When our friends on the other side were in power, they rejected the M.S. Swaminathan Commission’s recommendation of providing 50% profit over production costs. I have the records to prove this,” he said, promising to submit documentation to substantiate his claims.
The minister emphasized that since 2019, the Modi government has implemented a system to calculate MSP with a 50% profit margin over production costs. “Paddy, wheat, jowar, and soyabean have been purchased at these rates for the past three years. Unlike previous regimes, we have consistently given farmers remunerative prices,” he said. Additionally, Chouhan pointed to measures like adjusting export duties and commodity prices to shield farmers from market volatility.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh questioned the minister on his commitment to MSP, prompting a forceful response. “We will not only fix MSP with more than 50% profit but also ensure the purchase of farmers’ produce,” Chouhan replied. He accused the Congress of failing to buy crops at MSP, leading to farmers’ suffering. “For me, serving farmers is akin to worshipping God,” he added.
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar weighed in, recalling his own conversations with Chouhan about the government’s dedication to farmers. “The minister assured me that he would transform from being a ‘ladli’ (beloved) to ‘kisan ka ladla’ (farmers’ favorite), and I trust his commitment,” Dhankhar said, addressing the House. He also humorously noted his disappointment at not receiving an adjournment motion from Ramesh on the topic.
Responding to RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha’s query about a potential framework for farm loan waivers, Chouhan outlined the government’s broader vision for increasing farmers’ incomes. “We believe in boosting farmers’ earnings rather than relying on loan waivers. Our focus is on enhancing production, reducing costs, diversifying agriculture, promoting natural farming, and compensating for crop losses,” he said. “The aim is to ensure that farmers’ incomes grow to a point where loan waivers are unnecessary.”
The agriculture minister’s assurances come amid growing demands from farmers for stronger legal safeguards on MSP, reflecting the challenges and stakes tied to the government’s agricultural policies.
