Government of India advises farmers to produce pulses, maize and cotton instead of rice and wheat

The central government has given a new solution to the angry farmers of India. In the fourth phase of the meeting on Sunday, farmers were told by the central government that if they produce new crops like pulses, cotton or maize instead of rice and wheat, the central cooperatives are ready to strike a deal to buy them. at fair value for the next five years. It can prevent the water level of the land from falling.

Leaders of farmers' organizations have sought two days' time to consider the Centre's proposal. Till then the Delhi Chalo campaign will remain suspended.

The fourth round of the meeting was held in Chandigarh yesterday. Go till late night. Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, Industrial Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State for Home Nithyananda Rai attended the meeting with farmer leaders. In the meeting, the central government proposed to include crop diversification with minimum support price or MSP for the crop.

In the western parts of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the water table of agricultural land is rapidly decreasing due to cultivation of paddy, wheat and sugarcane. This issue was brought up by the Union Ministers in the discussion. Farmer leaders have also expressed their concern and worry as the water level recedes. It is in this context that the issue of producing other crops instead of paddy and wheat arises.

According to government sources, the government will strongly support farmer leaders if they think of producing other crops. Cultivating different varieties of pulses, cotton or maize instead of paddy and wheat will maintain the fertility of the land and maintain the water table. Cooperative organizations such as the National Cooperative Consumer Federation (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) will purchase the produce at the minimum support price.

The ministers said that the two organizations will enter into an agreement with the farmers to buy all the crops produced in the next five years for the benefit of the farmers. Farmers will benefit from crop diversification. Import costs will also decrease. The economy will benefit.

Farmers fear that they may face financial loss if they go on the path of crop diversification. Because crops like pulses, cotton or maize are not covered under SMP. Allaying this apprehension, the ministers said, NAFED or NCCF will sign advance contracts with farmers for five years, so that there is no loss and farmers get fair price.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that they will present the government proposal to the leaders of various organizations. They will inform the government after two days. He told the ministers that the government should specify how soon other demands will be met. Till then the farmers will remain on the Punjab-Haryana border.

The farmers' leaders also told the Union Ministers that if the demands are not met, agitation in Delhi will become inevitable. In that case, the government should not obstruct their journey.

Apart from the legalization of MSP for rice, wheat and other crops, farmer leaders want to implement all recommendations of the Swaminatham Commission. The demand to withdraw the cases filed against farmers and agricultural workers pension system and farmers' movement is also old. Farmers are also agitating to demand compensation for the injured farmers.