Farmers' demands continue as govt proposes MSP procurement plan

• Union government proposes MSP procurement plan for pulses, maize, and cotton amidst farmer protests
• Farmers demand guaranteed MSPs for 22 crops, led by influential groups from Punjab and Haryana
• Despite government's proposal, farmers remain cautious, planning further consultations before making decisions

In a continuing standoff between the Indian government and protesting farmers from Punjab and Haryana, Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced a proposal to procure pulses, maize, and cotton from farmers at minimum support prices (MSP). The proposal emerged following the fourth round of negotiations, held beyond midnight, aimed at addressing the farmers' demands for higher crop prices.

“With new ideas and thoughts, we had a positive discussion with Bhartiya Kisan Mazdoor Union and other farmer leaders... We had a detailed discussion on how to carry forward the work done by PM Modi in the last 10 years,” Goyal said.The minister said during the discussions, the government proposed an “innovative, out-of-the-box” plan, under which government cooperative agencies, such as NAFED and NCCF, will procure corn, cotton and pulses at MSP under a five-year contract from those farmers who switch from environmentally unsustainable crops such as rice in Punjab and Haryana.

Reacting to the government’s proposal, farm leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said farm unions would now discuss the government’s proposal and consult legal and agricultural experts.“We will analyse the government’s proposal along with legal and agricultural experts. Only then can we take a decision on what to do,” Pandher said.

The proposal comes amidst ongoing protests near Ambala, with plans to march to Delhi on February 21 if grievances are not addressed. Previous talks between the government and farmers have ended in a stalemate, highlighting the complexity of the issues at hand.