Farmers ‘forced’ to sell crop below MSP on pretext of moisture in Karnal

Farmers are allegedly being forced to sell their produce below the minimum support price (MSP) on the pretext of “high moisture content” in various grain markets of the district. Moreover, instead of official receipts, they are being handed temporary slips, raising serious concerns about irregularities in procurement.

As per farmers, the average price being offered is Rs 200-Rs 400 per quintal less than the MSP, making them bear significant financial loss. They are demanding fair procurement with relaxations in moisture norms, highlighting that natural calamities have already affected their yields. The MSP is Rs 2,369 per quintal for common paddy and Rs 2,389 per quintal for grade A.

Meanwhile, paddy arrivals at the local grain markets have picked up, but much of the crop has a moisture content of 20-22 per cent, which is above the prescribed limit of 17 per cent, preventing government agencies from commencing procurement.

“This season our production has fallen by 8-12 quintals per acre due to the stunting virus, commonly known as the dwarf virus, untimely rainfall and waterlogging. Arhtiyas and rice millers in connivance with employees of procurement agencies are not procuring paddy properly, and we are being forced to sell at throwaway prices,” said a farmer at the Karnal grain market.

Many farmers complain that officials, millers and arhtiyas are deliberately rejecting paddy stocks on moisture grounds to force them into distress sales. “We are given only temporary slips instead of proper receipts. It feels like we are being cheated in our own mandis. My crop has been procured at Rs 2,150 per quintal, and I was also given a temporary slip. I will check the amount to be transferred into my account,” said another farmer.

Farmer leaders have condemned these incidents. “This is nothing, but exploitation of farmers. The government had promised procurement at the MSP, but the ground reality is different. Farmers are already in distress due to low yields, and denying them fair prices will only worsen their situation,” said Bhadur Singh Mehla, spokesperson of BKU (Sir Chhotu Ram).

He said that if the issue was not resolved immediately, then farmers would be left with no option, but to intensify their protest. “We want fair procurement and relaxation in moisture norms. Farmers should not be penalised for what nature has done,” he added.

Anil Kumar, District Food Supplies Controller (DFSC), said that procurement agencies were present in the grain markets to ensure that paddy was being procured at the MSP. “Due to moisture, there are some issues,” he added. On the issuance of temporary slips, he said that these were being monitored by the officials of the market committee.

Meanwhile, a large number of millers are yet to come to grain markets for procurement, said an official.