Jaipur: Even though the central government has announced an increase in minimum support price (MSP) for several agricultural crops, it is not proving to be of much help to farmers. With selling and purchase of crops and seeds going digital, farmers of Rajasthan are raising concerns of lacking access to technology and of traders taking advantage of it to corner the profits.
Many farmers from Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts said they were facing losses in sale of their harvested crops as majority of them cannot apply online.
“The traders purchase at a much cheaper rate from the farmers and then they sell online, claiming to be farmers. the process being digital, it is not possible to cross-check who is who and the traders are easily able to pose as farmers and make profits. This is a scam that has been going on for the past couple of months,” said Jagdish Kumar, a farmer.
Farmers have also alleged that they are not getting seeds on time for harvesting and traders are selling off seeds at a higher price. Ahead of elections, the central government recently increased by 2%-7% the MSP of six rabi crops. The MSP for wheat and masur was increased by the maximum 7%, followed by for barley (6.6%), mustard and rapeseed (3.6%), safflower (2.6%) and chana (gram) (2%). Officials of the agriculture department said that though they have not received any such complaints, they are keeping a track of the issue. “It is quite difficult to verify the background of a person online because there is no such law or guidelines to do it,” an official said. TNN
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Many farmers from Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts said they were facing losses in sale of their harvested crops as majority of them cannot apply online.
“The traders purchase at a much cheaper rate from the farmers and then they sell online, claiming to be farmers. the process being digital, it is not possible to cross-check who is who and the traders are easily able to pose as farmers and make profits. This is a scam that has been going on for the past couple of months,” said Jagdish Kumar, a farmer.
Farmers have also alleged that they are not getting seeds on time for harvesting and traders are selling off seeds at a higher price. Ahead of elections, the central government recently increased by 2%-7% the MSP of six rabi crops. The MSP for wheat and masur was increased by the maximum 7%, followed by for barley (6.6%), mustard and rapeseed (3.6%), safflower (2.6%) and chana (gram) (2%). Officials of the agriculture department said that though they have not received any such complaints, they are keeping a track of the issue. “It is quite difficult to verify the background of a person online because there is no such law or guidelines to do it,” an official said. TNN
We also published the following articles recently
Punjab farmers force official to burn crop residue, FIR lodged
Farmers in Punjab, India, are resorting to burning crop residue due to a lack of machinery to manage it properly. Recently, farmers and activists prevented government officials from dousing a farm fire and instead forced their leader to burn the residue. The incident has sparked outrage, with the Punjab chief minister ordering the registration of an FIR. Local farmer organizations have condemned the incident and promised to prevent such actions in the future.
Farmers in Punjab, India, are resorting to burning crop residue due to a lack of machinery to manage it properly. Recently, farmers and activists prevented government officials from dousing a farm fire and instead forced their leader to burn the residue. The incident has sparked outrage, with the Punjab chief minister ordering the registration of an FIR. Local farmer organizations have condemned the incident and promised to prevent such actions in the future.
Pilibhit farmers cash inon situ managementof paddy crop residue
Farmers in Pilibhit, India, are earning profits by selling compressed bales of paddy residue to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) for biogas production. The use of baler machines attached to tractors has reduced incidents of crop residue burning, which causes air pollution. HPCL is procuring the bales at Rs 340 per quintal. The initiative has motivated farmers and is providing them with enough profit to cover costs for the next crop. The district agriculture department is compiling data on farmers willing to produce paddy residue bales for HPCL.
Farmers in Pilibhit, India, are earning profits by selling compressed bales of paddy residue to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) for biogas production. The use of baler machines attached to tractors has reduced incidents of crop residue burning, which causes air pollution. HPCL is procuring the bales at Rs 340 per quintal. The initiative has motivated farmers and is providing them with enough profit to cover costs for the next crop. The district agriculture department is compiling data on farmers willing to produce paddy residue bales for HPCL.
Stubble burning: AAP demands special package, MSP on alternate crops
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is demanding that the Centre and Haryana set up a fund to address stubble burning and promote crop diversification. The party also wants cotton and sugarcane to be bought on minimum support price (MSP). The Punjab government has taken steps to manage crop residue and promote crop diversification, and the Centre should support these efforts. The Supreme Court has also directed all governments to take measures to stop stubble burning. The AAP believes that penal action against farmers should be a last resort.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is demanding that the Centre and Haryana set up a fund to address stubble burning and promote crop diversification. The party also wants cotton and sugarcane to be bought on minimum support price (MSP). The Punjab government has taken steps to manage crop residue and promote crop diversification, and the Centre should support these efforts. The Supreme Court has also directed all governments to take measures to stop stubble burning. The AAP believes that penal action against farmers should be a last resort.
