Farmers Movement Archive

Make private traders pay MSP: Kisan Sabha

Minimum support prices for farm produce should be paid by private traders, not just the government, the All India Kisan Sabha said on Friday. The Left-affiliated farmers organisation, which is part of the ongoing farm protests, argued that its proposal for legally guaranteed MSPs would not place the entire additional burden on the government budget, or ultimately, the taxpayer. Instead, the large corporates who make large profits from agribusiness must be forced to share their surplus with the primary producers, AIKS general secretary Hannan Mollah told journalists. “Basmati farmers get paid Rs. 18-30 per kg for their crop. The Adani group’s Fortune Special Basmati rice is sold at Rs. 208 per kg. Some brands sell in the range of Rs. 700 to Rs. 2,200 per kg. Those who make such immense profits must share some of it with primary producers. Why not pay Rs. 40 per kg to the farmer? There will still be plenty of profits left over,” he said. Mr. Mollah argued that the Centre’s role was to enact a law stipulating that no one — neither government nor private players — could buy farm produce below the MSP rate. “We are not saying that the government should purchase everything. We are not stubborn. We understand that no government can pay that kind of money. Let the government buy 15%, [which is] needed for the public distribution system anyway. But the remaining 85% should also be bought at a remunerative price for the farmer,” he said.

The Hindu

2021-02-20

NEW DELHI