Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Dejected by the state government's decision to not procure summer “moong” crop, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has announced a statewide agitation.
Beginning June 10, the BKS will organise tehsil-level dharnas across Madhya Pradesh demanding procurement of summer moong at Minimum Support Price (MSP).
If their demands remain unaddressed, the farmers’ outfit has warned of escalating the protest to the district level, using tractor-trolley rallies as a form of demonstration.
This decision was made during a virtual meeting on Sunday, led by BKS state president Kamal Anjana, where farmer leaders expressed deep concern over the plight of moong cultivators following the government's procurement refusal.
According to BKS, Additional Chief Secretary (Farmer Welfare) Ashok Barnwal cited the presence of harmful chemicals in summer moong as the reason for non-procurement. However, Kamal Anjana countered the claim, saying:“It is the government itself that sells these chemicals. Not all farmers use them. Why penalise the entire farming community?”
He said that the onus lies on the government, and denying procurement is unjustified, especially when the same administration promotes chemical-based agriculture.
With no immediate solution in sight, tension between the farmers and the government appear to be heading toward escalation, potentially affecting agricultural stability in the region.
Malwa onion farmers’ woes
BKS state president Kamal Anjana told Free Press that onion growers in Malwa belt are also in serious trouble, asfrequent spells of rain over the past month have led to significant crop damage.
“Farmers are now forced to sell onions at throwaway prices, ranging from just ?2 to ?5 per kg. They can’t even recover their input costs,” he said.
