Parliamentary panel recommends MSP for organic produce
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing, headed by Charanjit Singh Channi, a former Punjab Chief Minister and MP from Jalandhar, presented its report on the ‘Demands for Grants (2025-26)’ to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
One of the key recommendations of the committee was a minimum support price (MSP) for organic produce, in addition to the MSP declared for traditional crops, to promote sustainable farming and ensuring fair compensation to organic farmers.
The committee emphasised that its earlier recommendations on legal guarantee for MSP and loan waivers for farmers were yet to be implemented. It asked the government to take immediate steps toward fulfilling these commitments to provide long-term relief and stability to the agricultural sector.
To address the issue of stubble burning and reduce environmental damage, the committee has proposed a financial assistance of Rs 100 per quintal of paddy to farmers as compensation for collecting and managing crop residue. Additionally, a market mechanism for crop residue should be created to compensate farmers for additional costs.
The committee reiterated its earlier recommendation of free and compulsory universal crop insurance for farmers with small landholdings to safeguard them against financial losses, reduce rural distress and ensure food security.
To acknowledge the critical role of farm labourers in the agriculture sector, the committee has recommended renaming the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare as the Department of Agriculture and Farmers and Farm Labourers’ Welfare.
The committee also recommended transformation of primary agricultural credit societies into ‘Village Supermarkets’ under the PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras initiative.
The committee has urged the government to increase the procurement limit under the Market Intervention Scheme from the current 25% to 50% of the total estimated production, ensuring better price support and coverage for more farmers.
