Farmer organisations in Madhya Pradesh on 1 April warned of launching an agitation over delays in wheat procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), alleging that the situation has pushed cultivators into financial distress.
Madhya Pradesh is among the country’s leading wheat-producing states. This year, the state government has announced an MSP of Rs 2,625 per quintal, including a bonus of Rs 40 per quintal.
Delay in procurement flaggedLakshminarayan Patel, president of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh’s Malwa Province, said procurement typically begins around 15 March but has been repeatedly delayed this year.
He alleged that the government’s explanation—citing a shortage of plastic bags linked to the West Asia conflict—was not valid.
“The government is making false claims… Meanwhile, traders are taking advantage and buying wheat below MSP,” Patel said.
He further claimed that due to the delay, nearly 60 per cent of farmers have been declared loan defaulters as they are unable to repay dues to banks and cooperative societies.
Farmers allege policy inconsistencyBablu Jadhav said shifting procurement dates have added to farmers’ difficulties.
Bitter harvest for India’s paddy farmers“March 15 was initially announced… then deferred to April 1. Now it has been pushed to April 10, and in some divisions to April 15,” he said.
Jadhav described the delays as a result of “inconsistent and disorganised” policies and said they have adversely affected farmers’ incomes.
Threat of agitationFarmer groups said they would be compelled to launch a large-scale agitation if procurement arrangements are not streamlined and loan repayment deadlines are not extended.
They said immediate intervention is needed to ensure MSP procurement begins without further delay.
Procurement at MSP is a key mechanism to ensure remunerative prices for farmers. Delays can lead to distress sales, especially when private traders offer lower rates.
There was no immediate response from the state government to the allegations.
Further developments are awaited as the situation unfolds.
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