Chandigarh, May 16 (PTI) Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) on Saturday alleged that the recent hike by the Centre in the MSP of crops cannot be deemed "remunerative by any standard" and it "fails" to match rising inflation and input costs.
Addressing a press conference here, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal claimed the increase in MSP for most crops was lower than prevailing inflation levels and even below the dearness allowance hikes granted to the central government employees.
The Centre on Wednesday announced a hike in the MSP for paddy by Rs 72 to Rs 2,441 per quintal for the 2026-27 kharif marketing season and steeper increases for pulses, oilseeds and cotton aimed at reducing import dependency and encouraging crop diversification.
For paddy, the MSP for common and A-grade varieties stands at Rs 2,441 and Rs 2,461 per quintal, respectively for 2026-27 kharif marketing season (September-October).
Dallewal further alleged that the recent increase in diesel prices after the MSP announcement had significantly raised cultivation expenses for farmers.
"Between 2013 and 2024-25, the Centre increased MSP by an average of 73 per cent, while the cost of production for crops rose between 78 and 90 per cent during the same period," Dallewal claimed, adding that farmers' profit margins had declined compared to 2013 levels.
He alleged that the Centre's promise of doubling farmers' income had been reduced to "mere rhetoric".
Dallewal also said resolutions passed in support of farmers' demands during the organisation's 'Kanyakumari to Kashmir' outreach campaign would soon be submitted to the President, the Chief Justice of India and the leader of opposition.
Another farmer leader, Abhimanyu Kohar, referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent appeal urging citizens to reduce consumption of imported edible oils, particularly palm oil, to lessen pressure on India's foreign exchange reserves.
Kohar said farmer organisations had raised the same issue during talks with Union ministers held during the 2024-25 farmers' protests.
He claimed that the country spends nearly Rs 1.71 lakh crore annually on palm oil imports and argued that the amount saved from reducing imports could instead be used to provide a legal guarantee for MSP procurement.
Kohar asserted that the guaranteed MSP procurement for crops such as mustard, sunflower and pulses, could significantly boost cultivation and help India achieve self-reliance in edible oils within two to three years.