At the fourth round of talks with protesting farmer groups, the central government put forth a five-year plan involving the purchase of pulses, maize, and cotton crops by government agencies at minimum support prices (MSP).
“We proposed a solution involving cooperative societies like NAFED entering into five-year contracts with farmers, ensuring purchases at MSP without quantity limitations,” said Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
Goyal highlighted the proposal’s focus on diversification into pulses, cotton, and maize, with assurances of MSP without quantity limitations. “This approach will save Punjab’s farming, improve the groundwater table, and save the land, which is already under stress, from getting barren,” he added.
The Union Minister also mentioned that several policy matters discussed require broader representation and cannot be finalized immediately. He assured that these discussions would continue, taking into account the upcoming elections and the need for comprehensive policy solutions.
A panel comprising Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai presented the proposal to farmers after “out-of-the-box thinking”. Goyal described the talks as “positive,” stating that farmers’ leaders raised various concerns during the meeting.
Farmer leaders belonging to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha said they will discuss the Centre’s proposal within their forums on February 19-20 and seek the opinion of experts before making a decision. They also temporarily halted the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march following this breakthrough in talks.
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