Resumption of Talks Between the Central Government and Farmer Groups
In the coming days, the central government plans to resume discussions with farmer groups, who are demanding a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
Background and Key Figures
- Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a farmer leader on a fast-unto-death, agreed to medical aid after assurances from the central government for renewed talks.
- The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a coalition of over 100 farmer groups, initially led the protests against the repealed farm laws.
- Talks had previously broken down after farmers rejected a conditional offer on assured procurement of five crops at MSP.
Centre’s Proposal
- Proposed purchases of masoor, urad, arhar, maize, and cotton at MSP for five years.
- Launch of the national portal ‘e-Samriddhi’ for MSP sales, with procurement by NAFED and NCCF.
- Procurement of 1.4 million tonnes of soybean at MSP during the last kharif season.
Farmers’ Demand and Budget Highlights
- Finance Minister announced a six-year “Mission for Atma Nirbharta in Pulses” with a Rs 1,000 crore budget.
- Focus on developing climate-resilient pulse seeds and ensuring remunerative prices.
- Food subsidy bill for FY26 set at Rs 2,03,420 crore, maintaining wheat and rice procurement.
- The budget for Pradhan Mantri Annadaata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) increased by 8% to Rs 6,941 crore.
Policy Adjustments
- The Union Cabinet expanded the scope of PM-AASHA by merging several schemes while retaining the price deficit payment scheme.
- Procurement of notified pulses and oilseeds under the price support scheme capped at 25% of national production from 2024-25, except for tur, urad, and masoor.
- Government guarantee for procurement enhanced to Rs 45,000 crore.
The central government has made strategic moves toward providing an assured MSP for select crops, but farmer acceptance of these measures remains uncertain.