Modi Govt guarantees MSP for farmers amid protests, says Shivraj Chouhan

Amid ongoing farmers’ protests and their march to Delhi demanding legal backing for Minimum Support Price (MSP), Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured the Rajya Sabha on Friday that the government would purchase all farm produce at MSP rates. This declaration comes as tensions rise over the farmers' agitation.

Speaking during Question Hour in the Winter Session of Parliament, Chouhan stated, “I want to assure the House that all produce of farmers will be purchased at the minimum support price. This is the Modi government, and we fulfill our promises.” His assurance aligns with the farmers’ primary demand for legal recognition of MSP.

The minister also criticized the Opposition for their past rejection of the MS Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, which suggested a 50% profit margin on the cost of production for MSP. “When our friends from the other side were in power, they refused to implement these recommendations. I have the records,” Chouhan said, citing former ministers such as Sharad Pawar and Kantilal Bhuria.

The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar, instructed Chouhan to submit documents to substantiate his claims, to which the minister agreed. Chouhan further emphasized that since 2019, the Modi government has calculated MSP to ensure a 50% profit margin for farmers, benefiting crops like wheat, paddy, jowar, and soyabean.

Farmers began their march to Delhi with a comprehensive charter of demands, including legal backing for MSP and better remunerative prices. This movement has placed significant political pressure on the government, with Opposition leaders accusing the ruling party of ignoring the agricultural sector’s grievances.

Highlighting the Modi government’s commitment to farmers, Chouhan pointed to interventions such as export duty adjustments and price stabilization when commodity rates fall. His statement aims to reinforce the government’s pro-farmer stance amid the growing unrest.