“Farmers’ Hopes Soar: CM Shinde Promises Higher MSP Amid Modi’s Third Term”

Mumbai: With Narendra Modi serving his third term as Prime Minister, farmers’ hopes and expectations have risen even higher. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed optimism that the government is making decisions in the interest of farmers in the state and that they will receive a good minimum support price (MSP) for their crops through the Central Agricultural Value and Price Commission.

Representatives from various states who attended the Central Agricultural Value and Price Commission meeting today applauded the Chief Minister for his commitment to farmers. This meeting, held at the Sahyadri Guest House under the chairmanship of Vijay Pal Sharma, focused on setting the MSP for rabi crops. Attendees included representatives and farmers from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Diu and Daman, and Maharashtra. The meeting was inaugurated by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde.

Chief Minister Shinde emphasized that farmers’ interests are a top priority and noted that he had recently discussed with the Prime Minister the need for better prices and markets for agricultural produce. He also mentioned his upcoming meeting with the Union Agriculture Minister to discuss base prices for crops such as soybeans, onions, and cotton, along with other farmer issues.

He highlighted the state’s efforts to promote millet cultivation and stressed the need for micro millets to receive MSP. Shinde credited Prime Minister Modi for the positive changes in agriculture over the past decade, citing initiatives like the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. The state government has also provided substantial compensation to farmers, amounting to fifteen thousand crore rupees in the last year.

On the topic of environmental concerns, the Chief Minister spoke about the state’s mission to cultivate bamboo, which benefits the environment. He mentioned the significant subsidy provided to farmers for bamboo cultivation and the target of one million hectares. He affirmed that Maharashtra aims to contribute one trillion dollars to India’s five trillion dollar economy, with agriculture playing a significant role.

Delegates at the meeting welcomed the Chief Minister’s participation, noting it was the first time a Chief Minister had attended a Central Agricultural Value Commission meeting. This sets a precedent for future meetings. Pasha Patel, speaking at the event, described the initiative for millet production and the Chief Minister’s leadership in environmental issues.

Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde emphasized the importance of harmonizing base price recommendations to benefit farmers. He noted that the conference aimed to coordinate recommendations for various crops in a consolidated and equitable manner. Munde suggested that the conference would be historic and highlighted the need to discuss and recommend a minimum base price for rabi jowar and other nutritious grains like Varai, Nachani, and Rala, which are grown in tribal areas.

Chairman Vijay Pal Sharma stated that the Commission is dedicated to benefiting agriculture and farmers. Efforts will be made to ensure fair remuneration for agricultural produce, increase productivity, strengthen the agricultural extension system, reduce the use of fertilizers, and emphasize agricultural mechanization for kharif crops.