As farmers protest in Madhya Pradesh, CM Mohan Yadav gets Centre pushback
In a significant policy decision aimed at addressing farmers’ concerns, the Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday increased the procurement limit for the summer moong crop from 25 per cent to 60 per cent of a farmer’s produce at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The government also suspended the recently introduced e-token system for fertiliser distribution after farmers complained of difficulties in accessing fertilisers under the new mechanism.
The announcements were made by Agriculture Minister Edal Singh Kanshana, who said both decisions were taken after consultations with farmer representatives and with the objective of protecting farmers’ interests.
Higher MSP Procurement for Moong Farmers
The Union government has fixed a procurement target of 4.52 lakh metric tonnes of summer moong from Madhya Pradesh during the current procurement season. However, under the earlier arrangement, only 25 per cent of each eligible farmer’s produce was to be procured at MSP, drawing criticism from farmers who feared they would be forced to sell the remaining crop in the open market at lower prices.
Announcing the revised policy, Kanshana said the state government had decided to substantially raise the procurement ceiling.
“Following discussions with farmer representatives, the state government has decided to procure 60 per cent of the moong produce from every eligible farmer instead of only 25 per cent,” he said.
The minister added that in major moong-producing districts such as Narmadapuram, Sehore and Harda, the revised procurement limit would translate to approximately three quintals per acre, providing significant relief to cultivators.
Procurement Deadlines Extended
To ensure that more farmers benefit from the revised policy, the government has also extended the registration and procurement schedule.
Farmers will now be able to book procurement slots until August 10, instead of the earlier deadline of July 30. The final date for government procurement has also been extended from August 10 to August 20.
The revised timelines are expected to provide farmers with additional time to complete registration formalities and sell their produce at MSP.
E-Token System Suspended
Apart from procurement, the government also addressed growing dissatisfaction over the recently launched e-token system for fertiliser distribution.
The digital system had been introduced to streamline fertiliser availability and reduce overcrowding at distribution centres. However, many farmers reported technical glitches and implementation challenges that delayed access to fertilisers during the ongoing agricultural season.
Responding to these concerns, Kanshana said the government had decided to suspend the system with immediate effect.
He stated that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had directed the formation of a high-level committee to review the implementation of the digital mechanism.
The committee will be headed by the Agriculture Production Commissioner and will examine the shortcomings of the e-token system before recommending improvements to ensure smoother implementation in the future.
“Until necessary reforms are made, the e-token system for fertiliser distribution has been suspended with immediate effect,” the minister said.
Government Responds to Farmers’ Concerns
The twin decisions come after protests and representations from farmers over both the procurement limit for summer moong and difficulties in obtaining fertilisers through the online token system.
By increasing the MSP procurement limit and extending procurement deadlines, the state government aims to ensure that a larger share of farmers’ produce is purchased at assured prices. The suspension of the e-token mechanism is also expected to ease fertiliser distribution until a revised and more efficient system is introduced.
The decisions are likely to provide immediate relief to farmers during the ongoing kharif season while allowing the government time to review and strengthen its digital agricultural service delivery mechanisms.
