Bhopal, July 28 (IANS) Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday urged the BJP government to speed up procurement of moong (green gram) at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), as hundreds of farmers marched towards Bhopal demanding 100 per cent government procurement of the crop.
His statement came on the second day of the ‘Kisan Kranti’ march organised by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. The farmers are also demanding improvements in the fertiliser distribution system.
In a statement, Nath said Madhya Pradesh is the country’s largest producer of moong, and the Centre has approved procurement of around 4.54 lakh metric tonnes for the state during the 2025-26 season, accounting for nearly 87 per cent of the total quantity approved across the country.
However, citing media reports, he said only around two per cent of the approved quantity had been procured in the state till July 16. “The situation is extremely concerning for lakhs of farmers. Moong growers are waiting to sell their produce at MSP. Due to the slow pace of procurement, they are being forced to sell their produce at throwaway prices,” Nath said.
The farmers, who began their march from Barkheda, were briefly stopped near the Obaidullaganj toll plaza before being allowed to continue towards Bhopal. Farmer leaders said more than 2,000 farmers, along with hundreds of tractors and trolleys, are taking part in the protest.
They said they plan to lay siege to the Chief Minister’s residence if their demands are not accepted.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha said 19 farmer organisations from across the state have joined the agitation. Farmer leaders also alleged that police stopped many farmers from leaving their villages by setting up barricades on roads in Vidisha, Raisen, Harda, Narmadapuram and Budhni districts.
Police have tightened security at the entry points of Bhopal and are closely monitoring the march.
Urging the government to act immediately, Nath said, “The state government should issue directions to ensure transparent, systematic and time-bound procurement of moong at MSP so that farmers get a fair price for their produce and the benefit of MSP on time.”
–IANS
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