As wheat procurement accelerates in Madhya Pradesh, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath has expressed worries about farmers allegedly not receiving the Minimum Support Price (MSP) effectively. The state government initiated procurement for the 2026-27 season on April 9 in key divisions like Indore, Ujjain, Bhopal, and Narmadapuram following pressure from the Opposition and farmer groups. Official data shows that over 22,500 metric tonnes of wheat have been procured from more than 5,000 farmers since the launch, with the remaining divisions expected to start operations from April 15.
Kamal Nath highlighted that despite the fixed MSP for wheat at Rs 2,625 per quintal, farmers are often compelled to sell at lower rates ranging between Rs 2,200 and Rs 2,400 in mandis. He emphasized that while procurement and MSP are officially in place, farmers are not actually receiving the stipulated price, revealing gaps in the system. The veteran Congress leader pointed out procedural challenges at procurement centers, such as delays, extended waiting times, and limited purchasing capacity, which are driving farmers towards open markets.
Alleging mismanagement at procurement centers, Kamal Nath stated that farmers, in anticipation of MSP, end up selling at lower prices due to the prevailing issues. He criticized the practice of traders starting bidding below MSP by citing quality concerns, despite regulations prohibiting such actions. Kamal Nath underscored the lack of monitoring and accountability in ensuring compliance with MSP regulations, urging the state government to enforce MSP norms strictly and enhance procurement mechanisms.
