The fourth round of talks between the Union ministers and farmer leaders on Sunday brought forth an innovative proposal regarding the purchase of pulses, maize, and cotton crops at minimum support prices (MSP) for five years. The proposal, presented by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, suggests that government agencies would enter into agreements with farmers, facilitated by cooperative societies like NCCF and NAFED, to procure crops like tur dal, urad dal, masoor dal, and maize at MSP for the next five years. This initiative aims to provide stability to farmers and encourage crop diversification.
The discussions, which lasted for over four hours and included Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Piyush Goyal, touched upon critical issues such as a legal MSP guarantee, loan waivers, and the Swaminathan Commission recommendations. While the farmer leaders agreed to deliberate on the government’s proposal over the next two days, they emphasized the need for comprehensive resolutions on other demands, signaling a potential resumption of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march if issues remain unresolved.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the government’s efforts in procuring crops at MSP over the years and expressed willingness to engage in further discussions to address farmers’ concerns. He urged the farmers to consider calling off their protest, acknowledging that some demands require in-depth policy discussions that may extend beyond immediate resolutions.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann advocated for legal MSP guarantees and emphasized the potential of crop diversification to bolster Punjab’s agricultural sector. He raised concerns about the import of pulses and stressed the importance of MSP in incentivizing farmers to cultivate crops like cotton and maize.
As the discussions continue, maintaining peace and law and order during the protest remains paramount. The farmers’ demands encompass a range of issues, including pension schemes, electricity tariff hikes, and justice for victims of past agitations, reflecting the complexity of the ongoing dialogue between the government and farmers.
Dhairya Saraswat