CHANDIGARH, Punjab—Amid looming threat over the existence of Minimum Support Price (MSP system for seasonal crops like wheat and paddy in Punjab, a demand for implementation of MSP system for vegetables and fruit growing farmer has started emerging in Punjab. The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has raised this demand after the Kerala state government announced an MSP (Minimum Support Price) system for vegetable and fruit growers.
In a statement released today, SAD (Badal) leader Bikram Singh Majithia has asked the Punjab government to announce the MSP system for vegetable and fruits growers of Punjab on 55th Punjab Day being held on November 1.
Bikram Majithia has stated that the implementation inclusion of vegetables and fruits in the MSP will secure the future of farmers while promoting diversification. He has also demanded that all the crops belonging to the MSP regime, including cotton and maize, should be purchased in entire quantity instead of the prevailing limit system on quantity per acre.
“The state government must make a direction to its procurement agencies to purchase the entire quantity of crops under the MSP system if the central agencies don’t do so,” he maintained.
Majithia further said that the SAD (Badal) was ready to support the Congress government if it is ready to implement this pro-farmer policy by passing an ordinance in the Punjab assembly.
