Low minimum support price (MSP), shortage of farm labourers coupled with scarcity of fertilisers and increased diesel price is set to squeeze the margins of paddy farmers this season in Punjab. There is unrest among farmers of Punjab as centre has enhanced Rs 105 only for paddy against the earlier MSP which was fixed at Rs 745 including a bonus of Rs 100 quintal. Moreover farmers are shelling higher bucks to get the labourers. Chief minister of the state, Parkash Singh Badal has been convening meetings with the concerned officials of central government to increase the MSP.
Sharing more details with FE, agriculture minister of Punjab, Sucha Singh Langah said, ?We had put up the requirement of 93,000 MT di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) from the central government but till date we have only received 44,000 MT of fertilisers. This will surely affect the output. Moreover we are in talks with the central government to get the higher price. If the government gives the higher MSP then our farmers don’t need schemes like debt waiver. Last time with the increase in the MSP of wheat farmers had got extra benefit of Rs 3750 crore. We will keep on holding meetings with the central government and will keep on requesting for the better MSP.?
?The cost of transplantation of paddy has gone to Rs 1,600 per acre this year against Rs 700 or Rs 800 per acre last year. The gain from enhanced price of paddy will be completely neutralised by the enhanced labour cost. Despite all the problems we will have better yield and will be able to meet our target,? Langah said.
Adding to this BKU (Rajewal) president, Balbir Singh Rajewal said, ?We use 220 litre of diesel per acre and due to hike in diesel prices we will be shelling out extra Rs 660 crore. Our input cost has gone up this time. We had presented the memorandum to union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and we have requested MSP of Rs 1,000-1050. We will launch our agitations if centre fails to provide the respite.? The area under paddy cultivation in Punjab is likely to increase by 80,000 hectare against last year’s area, on account of higher Minimum Support Price (MSP) proposed for the current kharif season. Consultant with Punjab State Farmers Commission, P S Rangi informed, ?This time paddy will be implanted on 27 lakh hectare against the last year’s 26.2 lakh hectare. Last year the production of rice was recorded at 160 lakh tonne. Depending on various conditions the total production can break the earlier records. Early monsoon this season has brought relief for paddy farmers and they are getting regular powers supply of eight hours. Besides it has reduced the demand of diesel. Moreover many farmers are using the water saving techniques this time.?