The farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh entered its third consecutive day on Wednesday, with thousands of cultivators from Narmadapuram, Harda, Sehore, Raisen, Vidisha and several other districts camping in the state capital. Tensions escalated after protesters attempted to march towards the Chief Minister's residence, breaking through police barricades.
The protesters are demanding that the state government ensure 100 per cent procurement of summer moong at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and scrap the e-token system used for fertilizer distribution.
The protest has brought together 19 farmers' organisations, including the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, Aam Kisan Union, Bharatiya Kisan Union, Kisan Swaraj Sangathan and Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh. Farmers had reached Bhopal on Tuesday after a march from Narmadapuram, breaching barricades at several locations before entering the city. Authorities have tightened security across Bhopal, while several schools remained closed as a precaution.
The first round of talks between farmer representatives and the state government on Tuesday night failed to produce any breakthrough. Although the government assured farmers that it was sensitive to their concerns and would take steps to address them, farmer leaders vowed to continue the protest until formal orders were issued. They said they would camp outside the Chief Minister's residence until their demands were met. During the demonstration, several protesters climbed onto the roofs of buses while raising slogans.
Government Forms Ministerial Panel
The Madhya Pradesh government has constituted a committee of ministers to negotiate with the protesting farmers.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the government was committed to resolving the deadlock through dialogue and reiterated that it had consistently taken decisions in the interest of farmers. A ministerial delegation comprising Agriculture Minister Aidal Singh Kansana, Cooperative Minister Vishvas Sarang and Minister of State for Backward Classes and Minority Welfare Krishna Gaur held discussions with representatives of various farmer organisations on Wednesday evening.
Good Harvest Turns into Crisis
According to Ram Inaniya, a leader of the Aam Kisan Union, which is playing a key role in the agitation, farmers have suffered heavy losses despite a good summer moong harvest this year because government procurement remains limited and market prices have fallen sharply.
Speaking to Rural Voice, Inaniya said an average acre produces around six quintals of moong, but the government is willing to procure only 1.20 quintals per acre under the current policy. As a result, a large number of farmers are unable to sell their produce at MSP.
While governments have been encouraging farmers to increase pulse cultivation to improve domestic production, moong growers in Madhya Pradesh say they are bearing the brunt of falling market prices.
The MSP for moong for the 2026-27 marketing season has been fixed at Rs. 8,768 per quintal. However, farmers say they are being forced to sell their produce in the open market for only Rs. 6,000-7,000 per quintal, resulting in losses of Rs. 1,500-2,500 per quintal.
Farmer leaders said they had repeatedly submitted memoranda to the government, but no concrete action had followed. They maintain that the protest will continue until the government issues clear orders ensuring full procurement of moong and addresses their other demands.
State Seeks Higher Procurement Target
Amid growing farmer unrest, Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Minister Aidal Singh Kansana has written to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan seeking an increase in the state's moong procurement target from 454,000 tonnes to 806,000 tonnes.
The state is estimated to have produced nearly 2 million tonnes of moong this season. However, the Centre has approved procurement of only 454,000 tonnes, raising concerns that a substantial quantity of produce may have to be sold to private traders at prices below MSP.
On Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Kansana met representatives of the protesting farmers and assured them that the government was sensitive to their concerns and would take appropriate measures to resolve them.
Despite the assurances, the agitation continued. The minister appealed to farmers to maintain peace and resolve the issues through dialogue.
Farmers Prepared for Prolonged Protest
Many protesters have arrived in Bhopal prepared for a long agitation. Farmers brought tractors and trolleys loaded with a week's supply of food, water and other essentials.
They spent Tuesday night on the streets under the open sky, carrying bedding, cooking utensils and ration supplies. Protesters said they would remain at the site for as long as necessary until their demands were fulfilled.
Gen Z Joins the Protest
One of the notable features of the agitation has been the participation of young people, particularly members of Generation Z.
Large numbers of students and young supporters joined the demonstrations carrying placards highlighting the farmers' demands. Many also used social media platforms to share updates from the protest site, reflecting growing support for the movement among younger generations.
Opposition Extends Support
The farmers' agitation has also received political backing from the opposition Congress party.
Congress workers welcomed the farmers upon their arrival in Bhopal. State Congress president Jitu Patwari urged Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to "set aside his arrogance" and listen to the farmers, calling on the government to immediately accept their demands.