Fri Dec 06 10:11:19 UTC 2024: ## Govt. Pledges to Buy All Farm Produce at MSP, Sparking Debate in Rajya Sabha

**New Delhi, December 6, 2024** – Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan declared in the Rajya Sabha today that the Narendra Modi government will purchase all farm produce at the minimum support price (MSP). This announcement came amidst ongoing farmer protests, including a foot march to Delhi demanding legal guarantees for MSP.

Chouhan’s assurance, made during Question Hour, sparked a heated debate. He asserted that the government is committed to providing farmers with 50% profit over the cost of production, contrasting the Modi government’s policy with that of previous administrations. He cited records allegedly showing that past governments, including those led by the Congress party, failed to meet the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations for MSP. He further claimed that the current government already provides remunerative prices for several crops, citing examples like paddy, wheat, jowar, and soyabean. The Minister also highlighted government interventions in export duties and pricing to stabilize commodity rates.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh challenged Chouhan’s claims, prompting a strong response from the Minister who reiterated the government’s commitment to MSP and criticized the Congress for its past handling of farmer issues.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who had previously expressed his support for the Minister’s commitment to farmers, urged Chouhan to provide documented evidence to support his claims regarding past government policies on MSP.

Responding to questions regarding farm loan waivers, Chouhan stated that the government prioritizes increasing farmers’ income through measures like boosting production, reducing costs, and diversifying agriculture, thereby making loan waivers unnecessary.

The Minister’s statement has been met with mixed reactions, with farmer groups awaiting concrete action to translate the government’s pledge into reality. The ongoing protests and the parliamentary debate highlight the continued pressure on the government to address farmers’ concerns regarding MSP and income security.

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