Farmers need to get maximum and not minimum price of their produce

- It is not appropriate to fix a single MSP in the whole country. This is because the cost to farmers varies from state to state

With the government withdrawing three controversial agricultural laws, it announced the formation of a committee to make the minimum support price (MSP) for crops more transparent to farmers. It may be noted that the various demands of the agitating farmers' organizations also include the issue of MSP. MSP is announced by the government for up to 6 crops. In which seven grains - paddy, wheat, maize, sorghum, millet, barley and ragi, five pulses - chickpeas, arhar, urad, mug and lentils, seven oilseeds - peanuts, rapeseed - mustard, soybean, sesame, sunflower, safflower and niserseed and Four cash crops - sugarcane, cotton, jute and coconut.

The MSP is announced by the government so that the crop is not purchased below the declared price. But the reality today is that most crops are sold below MSP. According to a report in this regard, only six per cent farmers in the country get the benefit of MSP. Which is found in grains and wheat.

Despite many government schemes, the plight of farmers has not ended. In fact, the government should take steps to ensure that farmers get more value for their crops, not just the minimum. It is not appropriate to fix a single MSP in the whole country. This is because the cost to farmers varies from state to state. Climate-geographical conditions are also different. Therefore, not all farmers get the same benefit of MSP.

The government has decided to strengthen the network of Agricultural Producers Association (FPO) in the country. 3 crore has also been allocated for setting up 10,000 new units. These centers should be enabled to take other decisions related to the agricultural sector including various provisions for which crop to grow in which area, more crops, more crops. It can solve many problems in this field.

There is a need for measures to increase the income of farmers. Even if a legal guarantee of MSP is given as per the demand of farmers, it will only benefit certain farmers. All government schemes should be planned to be implemented through FPO. At present the number of small and marginal farmers in the country is about 5%. It is time to think in this direction so that these farmers can get adequate benefits as well as for the development of the entire agricultural sector.