Dharwad farmers reluctant to sell Bengal gram under new MSP

Dharwad: Last year, hundreds of farmers who had opted for Bengal gram as a rabi crop staged a demonstration urging the government to set up procurement centres at the earliest and purchase their produce under MSP. This year, before any farmers’ organisations exerted pressure, the government has established purchase centres and has also announced MSP for Bengal gram. Interestingly, the Bengal gram growers in Dharwad district are reluctant to sell their produce under minimum support price scheme even after the government hiking the MSP. The price of Bengal gram offered by the government under MSP is almost equal to that in the open market. The price has been hiked by Rs 105 per quintal. Due to farmers’ reluctance to sell under MSP, procurement has been low. Owing to various reasons including climate change, the district has not received a good yield this rabi. This has forced the growers to register their names at the procurement centre. But, delay in getting the amount from the government and allegations of harassment at procurement centres over the quality of the produce, has made the farmers turn their back. Last year, the government had fixed Rs 5,230 per quintal of Bengal gram and this year, the MSP has been hiked to Rs 5,335. A total of 19,335 farmers had enrolled to sell their produce at procurement centres, but till now, only 6,737 farmers have sold 83,526 quintals of bengal gram. Officials said that Bengal gram is priced at Rs 5,200 per quintal by traders. Some farmers, expecting a price rise, have stored the produce while others are selling in the open market.