government suggests giving farmers a five-year plan

A five-year plan to purchase important commodities at MSP was presented by the Center to farmer representatives on Sunday during their fourth round of negotiations. In order to review the idea, the farmers have postponed their “Delhi Chalo” march.The federal government presented a five-year plan comprising the purchase of pulses, maize, and cotton commodities at minimum support prices (MSP) at the fourth round of negotiations with protesting farmer organizations.

Following “out-of-the-box thinking,” a panel consisting of Minister of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai presented the suggestion to farmers.Goyal called the discussions “positive,” adding that the representatives of the farmers brought up a number of issues during the discussion.

Farmer leaders from the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) have stated that they would consult with experts before to reaching a decision and will deliberate on the Center’s proposal at their forums on February 19–20. Following this development in the negotiations, they also momentarily called off the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.

The farmers' protest has been developing as of late, as follows:

A five-year plan for the government agencies’ procurement of essential crops at MSP is part of the administration’s proposal. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal stated, “We proposed a solution involving cooperative societies like NAFED entering into five-year contracts with farmers, ensuring purchases at MSP without quantity limitations.”

ALSO READ:- The legendary Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2024: History, importance, and more

Goyal emphasized that the plan will diversify into pulses, cotton, and maize while guaranteeing MSP without quantity restrictions. “This strategy will protect Punjab’s agriculture, raise the groundwater table, and prevent the already stressed land from going arid,” he continued.
The Union Minister also stated that a few of the policy issues addressed need further representation and cannot be resolved right now. He promised that these conversations will go on, considering the approaching elections and the requirement for all-encompassing policy measures.
Loan waivers and other requests are still up for discussion, according to Pandher. He said, “We hope that these will be resolved in the next two days,” and that the “Delhi Chalo” march was now on pause.
Following the government’s suggestion, leaders of the farmers have made the decision to temporarily suspend the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. By making this decision, they will have two days to carefully examine the new MSP plan and decide what to do next. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher declared, “We will discuss in our forums on February 19–20, get expert input on it, and make a decision accordingly.”

Speaking during the discussions, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann pushed for the easing of the internet ban in some areas and supported agricultural diversification. Mann said that the farmer unions make the final say on the government’s ideas. He declared that “no door is closed” for more communication, saying that “the farmers now hold the ball.”
Samyukta Kisan Morcha farmer leaders have called for further rallies in order to keep pressure on the government to acquiesce to their demands, notwithstanding the brief halt. The farmers’ union has scheduled a three-day gherao of BJP officials’ homes in Punjab and a commuter-free weekend of February 20–22 for toll barriers.
According to news agency PTI, Samyukta Kisan Morcha leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said that the group will be holding a high-level conference in Delhi on February 22 to plan out future demands and measures.
In the meanwhile, the internet service ban has been prolonged till February 24 in a few districts in Punjab, including Patiala, Sangrur, and Fatehgarh Sahib.
Additionally, the Haryana government has blocked bulk SMS and mobile internet access in a number of districts, including Kurukshetra, Hisar, and Ambala.