Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that all the three agricultural laws implemented in the country by the Central government are farmer-friendly and will not only increase the income of farmers significantly, but it is a big step for their financial security.
He clearly said that procurement on Minimum Support Price will continue, there is no question of ending it. Agricultural produce mandis will also continue to function as before, as well as farmers will benefit from the competitive system of giving the farmers facility to sell crops outside the mandis.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh has the highest agricultural growth rate. The farmers here understand that all three new agricultural laws are beneficial for them, so they are totally assured. Many people are spreading misconceptions, but their efforts will not succeed.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the Manmohan Singh's government was in favour of implementing the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act. The then Union Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar had written a letter to him that there is need to amend the present Agricultural Produce Trade and Commerce Act (APMC Act) on the lines of Model APMC Act 2003. This will encourage private sector investment in market-infrastructure and open the way for alternative competitive markets in the overall interest of farmers, consumers and agri-business.
Attention to all big and small farmersChief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the government is conscious about the interests of all farmers, big and small and new laws are beneficial for all. There are about 80 lakh farmers in Madhya Pradesh, but only 12-13 lakh farmers sell their crops at minimum support price. Small farmers are given honorarium of Rs 4,000 per year under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Kalyan Nidhi Yojana. The Government of Madhya Pradesh has increased it to Rs 10,000. We are concerned about every farmer.
The Chief Minister Chouhan said that in the last few days, maximum 1.29 crore metric tonnes of wheat was purchased from 16 lakh farmers on support price. Currently , paddy procurement is in progress. Farmers were benefited through Bhavantar Yojana also in the state. Madhya Pradesh is a big supporter of minimum support price system.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that we are improving the operation of Krishi Upaj Mandis, so that farmers can get maximum benefits. Mandi duty in the state was reduced from Rs 1.50 paisa to 50 paisa. This will definitely benefit the farmers.