Farmer leader Shivkumar Kakka, the national president of the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh, has issued a warning regarding escalating protests if the government fails to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for soybean and other crops. Speaking at a press conference in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Kakka emphasized the need for a legislative framework based on the ‘C2+50%’ formula for MSP evaluation, ensuring timely procurement of farmers’ produce.
Demands for C2+50% Formula Implementation
Kakka highlighted the significance of the C2+50% formula, recommended by the Swaminathan Commission, which mandates that the MSP for crops be at least 50% higher than the weighted average cost of production. The ‘C2’ cost includes various factors such as paid-out costs, imputed family labor, rental value of owned land, and interest on fixed capital.
“The Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh has been protesting across the state for the last two months to demand an increase in the MSP for soybean and other crops,” Kakka stated. He criticized the government for not fulfilling promises made during the election campaign, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers assured farmers that they would receive one and a half times the cost of production for every crop.
Specific MSP Increases Requested
Kakka outlined specific MSP demands, calling for an increase in the soybean price from ₹6,000 to ₹7,000 per quintal, cotton between ₹12,000 and ₹14,000 per quintal, and maize between ₹3,000 and ₹3,500 per quintal. He also urged for the inclusion of red chili in the category of spices eligible for MSP.
Furthermore, Kakka called for reforms to the Land Acquisition Act, asserting that agricultural land should not be acquired under any circumstances. In the event of a disaster necessitating land acquisition, he insisted that farmers be compensated at ten times the market price.
Currently, farmers are protesting across the state, demanding an increase in the MSP for soybean from ₹4,892 to ₹6,000 per quintal, as they claim the current MSP fails to cover their production costs.