New Delhi, Nov 23, : .The acronym MSP has become a familiar word for urban news consumers.
It was first used by them on November 19, when the Prime Minister announced that the three farm laws would be repealed.However, farmers agitating for minimum support prices (MSP) will not stop until they get legal backing. MSP is the price the government declares in advance and pays at time of purchasing crops from farmers at the Agricultural Produce Market Committees.Also known as Mandis, This concept is based on the principle that farmers should not lose out due to lower rates in the open markets.
The agitating farmers demand that the government give MSP legal status – the three farm law did not mention this.This means that even if a private trader purchases from the farmer, rates are at par with MSP or higher.
A farmer who pays less than the MSP would be subject to legal sanctions.
Samyukt Kisan Mocha (SKM), has been organizing farmers to demand the repeal of the three laws passed by Parliament last year and the legalization of MSP for all crops.
Currently, MSP is provided mainly to wheat and rice by the government, despite the fact that there are 21 other crops on the list.
A CVoter-IANS snap survey was conducted across India to determine what Indians think about the demand made by farm leaders for a new law to guarantee MSP.
More than 61% of respondents agreed with legal guaranteed MSP.Only 21% opposed it.
This demand was supported by a larger percentage of opposition voters than NDA voters.However, more than 54% of NDA supporters agreed with the demand.
The respondents were then asked a question related to whether they would agree to the demand of other farmers for legally guaranteed MSP on food products like milk, eggs, vegetables, chicken, and fruits.Nearly 70% of respondents indicated that they would accept this demand if it was made.
This hypothetical demand was also supported by more than 63% of NDA supporters.
Hannan Mollah (All India Kisan Sabha) General Secretary, who is also one the most prominent leaders of SKM, stated that the MSP demand was very valid and is to ensure that all farmers benefit.
“We all agree that the government can’t buy 100% of the crops.However, regardless of the price that the government declares under MSP for the crops, all farmers should receive it.The law should also be equally applicable to all farmers in India.MSP is only available to 15% of farmers, mainly those from Punjab and Haryana.Most procurements take place there.Mollah stated that the remaining 85 percent are forced to sell their produce for a lower price than the MSP.
He gave an example of paddy being sold in Uttar Pradesh at Rs 1,100 per quintal, as opposed to Rs 1,970 under MSP.
“How much are farmers continuing to lose?” What happens if a law is passed tomorrow, but farmers are still being exploited? He said that if any farmer is offered a lower amount, he would go to court.
However, not all farmers are open to these kinds of measures.Anil Ghanwat, a leader of Shetkari Sanghatana, spoke to mediapersons earlier in day.He was one of three members of the Supreme Court-appointed committee to investigate the farm laws issue.He had criticised SKM for requesting legalization of MSP.
“MSP is not the solution, it cannot be.Farmers must diversify.He said that Maharashtra’s progressive farmers are interested in dairy, fisheries and poultry.
Ghanwat was countered by Mollah who cited an example from Himachal Pradesh in which apple farmers were allegedly cheated and paid less than last year by the Adani group.
“What does the farmer do?” Mollah stated that farmers are forced to sell their produce for a lower price.
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