Haryana Expands MSP Coverage to 24 Crops, Farmers to Benefit

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): The Haryana government has given a new year’s gift to farmers by issuing a notification guaranteeing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 24 crops. This move has brought joy among farmers, especially at a time when farmers in Punjab are protesting at the Haryana-Punjab border demanding MSP. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini had announced before the assembly elections that the state would provide MSP for 24 crops, but there was no formal written provision for it. Now, with the issuance of this notification, the Haryana government aims to reassure farmers.

Additionally, the government has sent a clear message to Punjab's farmers that the demand for MSP should be made to the Punjab government rather than the central government. The Chief Minister himself had appealed to the farmers of Punjab, urging them to negotiate with the Punjab government, move away from the border protests, and focus on holding their movement within Punjab.

Crops to be purchased by the government at MSP: The Haryana government will now purchase 24 crops from farmers at MSP, including Ragi, Soybean, Niger Seed, Kusum, Barley, Maize, Sorghum, Jute, Copra, Summer Moong, Rice, Bajra, Kharif Moong, Urad, Arhar, Sesame, Cotton, Groundnut, Wheat, Mustard, Chickpea, Lentils, Sunflower, and Sugarcane. Additionally, government agencies already purchasing 14 crops at MSP will now also buy 10 more crops. The Additional Chief Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Dr. Raja Shekhar Vundru, has issued the notification for the MSP purchase of these 24 crops.