Hundreds of farmers staged a protest in Beed district in Maharashtra on Thursday, demanding a substantial increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for key crops including cotton, soybean and tur dal, reported the PTI.
Marching to the district collectorate under the banner of the Farmers’ Rights Movement, the protesters warned that they would launch an indefinite agitation if their demands were not addressed.
The farmers demanded an MSP of Rs 12,000 per quintal for cotton and tur, and Rs 7,000 per quintal for soybean, according to the PTI.
They also called for the removal of procurement restrictions imposed by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).
In addition, they sought strict action against market committees and traders accused of purchasing crops below the government-assured prices.
Call for compensation
The agitators demanded compensation for losses suffered due to distress sales, stating that many farmers are forced to sell their produce at low prices because of delayed or restricted procurement, as per the PTI.
Financial distress among farmers
According to the protesters, farmers are facing a severe financial crisis as crop prices have remained largely unchanged for over a decade, while the cost of agricultural inputs has nearly doubled.
Memorandum submitted to govt
A memorandum outlining the demands was submitted to the district administration and addressed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, Agriculture Minister Datta Bharne, and senior officials, the news agency reported.
Rising costs, stagnant crop prices
The memorandum highlighted that prices of fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, diesel, electricity and labour have risen sharply over the past 14 years, while farm produce continues to fetch almost the same rates.
Man, son dead as tractor overturns in Jalgaon
Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 48-year-old man and his son died after their tractor overturned in Varangaon-Kinhi area of Jalgaon district, some 480 kilometres from here, a police official said on Thursday, reported the PTI.
The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon, the Varangaon police official said.
“Sanjay Shravan Sable and his son Bhushan Sanjay Sable, residents of Siddheshwarnagar, were on their way to collect gravel when their tractor overturned. The two were crushed under the vehicle. One person was injured in the incident,” he added, as per the PTI.
A case has been registered at Varangaon police station, the official added.
(with PTI inputs)
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