MP Government Constitutes Committee as Farmers' Protest Over Moong Procurement Intensifies in Bhopal

Update

The Madhya Pradesh government has set up a committee of ministers to hold negotiations with farmers protesting over various issues, including complete moong procurement at MSP, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Wednesday. He added that the government was confident that the talks would help resolve the impasse.

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The farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh over the procurement of summer moong at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) has entered a crucial phase, with the first round of discussions between the state government and farmer representatives ending without any concrete outcome. While the government assured farmers that it was sensitive to their legitimate concerns and would take prompt and positive steps to address them, the protesters have refused to withdraw until they receive written commitments.

Thousands of farmers who marched from Narmadapuram to Bhopal in support of their demands were stopped by the police before they could proceed towards the Chief Minister's residence. Following the blockade, the protesters staged a sit-in on the Bhopal-Narmadapuram highway. Talks between the district administration and the protesting farmers also failed to produce a resolution, with farmers reiterating that their agitation would continue until their demands were accepted.

The primary demand of the protesters is 100 per cent government procurement of summer moong at MSP. Under the existing procurement policy, only about 25 to 40 per cent of the estimated production is being purchased at MSP. This year, the MSP for moong has been fixed at Rs 8,768 per quintal. However, because of procurement limits, a significant portion of the crop has to be sold in the open market at Rs 6,000–7,000 per quintal, resulting in losses of Rs 1,500–2,500 per quintal for farmers.

Farmers argue that if the government can procure the entire production of other pulses under MSP, there is no justification for imposing procurement limits on moong. They also point out that the government had encouraged farmers to cultivate summer moong, only to restrict procurement after the crop was harvested.

Another major issue is the e-token system introduced for fertiliser distribution. Farmers allege that they are unable to secure booking slots because of frequent server failures, limited availability, and procedural complexities. They are demanding either significant reforms to the digital system or its complete withdrawal, along with the restoration of the earlier distribution mechanism.

The protesters have also raised concerns over shortages of DAP and urea during the ongoing kharif season. They are demanding transparent fertiliser distribution based on official land records, timely availability of adequate stocks at cooperative societies, and strict action against black marketing.

Prepared for a prolonged agitation, many farmers arrived in Bhopal carrying food supplies, water, cooking equipment and tarpaulins sufficient for a week. They spent Tuesday night camping on the roadside after being stopped by the police. Protesters maintained that their movement was peaceful and democratic, insisting that they had no intention of damaging public property or disrupting law and order.

The agitation has significantly affected traffic movement in Bhopal. Authorities diverted vehicles on several major routes and declared a precautionary holiday in some schools due to the blockade of the Bhopal-Narmadapuram highway. Additional police personnel have been deployed across sensitive locations to maintain law and order.

Although the government has assured farmers that discussions will continue and efforts will be made to resolve the issues, the protesters remain firm that verbal assurances are not enough. They have made it clear that the agitation will continue until they receive written guarantees on 100 per cent MSP procurement of moong, reforms in fertiliser distribution, and resolution of the e-token issue.