Rakesh Tikait to hold tractor march on soybean prices in MP, distances himself from october 1 'Chakka Jam'

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) have distanced themselves from the Chakka Jam called on October 1 on the call of Samyukta Kisan Morcha, Madhya Pradesh

Team RuralVoice Team RuralVoice
Published: Sep 21, 2024 - 17:54 Updated: Sep 21, 2024 - 18:00
Rakesh Tikait to hold tractor march on soybean prices in MP, distances himself from october 1 'Chakka Jam'

Protests have intensified in Madhya Pradesh as farmers demand a raise in the government's procurement price of soybean to ₹6,000 per quintal. Rakesh Tikait, national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), announced a "Tractor Tiranga March" on September 23 in Seoni Malwa, citing the unfair prices that farmers are receiving for their soybean crops. Additionally, 30 farmer organizations under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), Madhya Pradesh, have called for a statewide "chakka jam" (road blockade) on October 1.

Tikait pointed out that soybean farmers are currently forced to sell their crops at ₹3,500 to ₹4,000 per quintal, while the government’s minimum support price (MSP) is set at ₹4,892 per quintal- an amount insufficient to cover farmers' production costs. Farmers are demanding a higher price, and he will participate in the tractor march on September 23 to support this cause.

He also clarified that while some farmer groups have announced the chakka jam for October 1, the national-level Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) is not officially involved. According to Tikait, various organizations are protesting independently, with some political figures attempting to exploit the movement for their own gain. He urged those with political motivations to separate their protests from the farmers' cause, stressing that the SKM remains focused on advocating for the farmers’ rights. Tikait called on the government to act urgently on the issue of low soybean prices.

Responding to Tikait's remarks, Ram Inaniya, a member of the SKM Madhya Pradesh, told Rural Voice that the decision to hold the October 1 chakka jam was made by the state SKM, with 30 farmer organizations participating. He explained that Tikait’s comments were from the SKM in Delhi and that he is not involved in the state protest. Inaniya confirmed that the chakka jam will proceed as planned, with farmers blocking highways statewide for three hours. Additionally, torch processions will take place in villages from September 24 to 30.

Meanwhile, the Bhartiya Kisan Sangh has also demanded that the soybean price be set at ₹6,000 per quintal, but they are organizing their protest separately. Farmers have also launched a social media campaign to express their grievances over low soybean prices. The central government has set the MSP for the 2024-25 Kharif season at ₹4,892 per quintal, but farmers insist on ₹6,000. Recently, soybean prices hit a 10-year low in the state, with mandi rates dropping to ₹3,500 to ₹4,000 per quintal. While prices have marginally improved to between ₹4,000 and ₹4,500 per quintal, they remain below the MSP, driving ongoing protests across Madhya Pradesh.

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