In a first in India, Haryana guarantees MSP to 24 crops

Amid the ongoing protest in Punjab for guaranteed minimum support prices, BJP-led Haryana government has issued a notification to procure all the 24 crops of state farmers on MSP.

With the notification Haryana has become the first state in the country to ensure the procurement of all 24 crops at the MSP set by the Union government.

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued a notification to procure 24 crops from farmers in the state at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The government claimed that the decision aims to ensure fair prices for farmers’ produce. As per the notification the government agencies procure ten additional crops including Ragi, Soybean, Nigerseed, Safflower, Barley, Maize, Jowar, Jute, Copra, and Summer Moong on the MSP.

These crops will now be added to the list of 14 crops already being procured at MSP, which includes important food and cash crops like Paddy, Bajra, Kharif Moong, Urd, Arhar, Til, Cotton, Groundnut, Wheat, Mustard, Gram, Masur, Sunflower, and Sugarcane.

The notification aligns with the Central government’s MSP policy, ensuring that all the notified crops are procured at the government-announced MSP. In addition, sugarcane will continue to be procured at a Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) fixed Rs 400 per quintal by the state government. However, as per the officials in the state agriculture department the farmers registered on Meri Fasal Mera Bayora portal will be eligible to sell their produce on MSP.

“The decision was taken in the interest of the farmers of the state as the state government has given the guarantee to procure 100 percent crops of all farmers”, said chief minister Nayab Saini.

Greeting farmers on the occasion of the National Farmers’ Day Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana said that with the notification Haryana has become the only state in the country to procure all 24 notified crops on the MSP fixed by the union government.

The agriculture minister also thanked Haryana chief minister for taking this historic step.

The move also assumes major political significance as farmers in neighbouring state of Punjab were protesting against the union government demanding an act to guarantee MSP. The Haryana government’s decision has left a message that the state governments can also ensure the procurement of all crops on MSP.