Farmers Slam Government's 'Insulting' Rabi Crop Price Hike

A group of farmer organizations in India has rejected the new minimum support prices (MSPs) for Rabi crops announced by the government. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a coalition of farm groups, claims that the Rs 25-per-quintal hike in MSP for wheat is an insult and not enough to cover the cost of production.

The SKM notes that the increase in diesel prices and other input costs was ignored while calculating the cost of production. They also point out that the government's claim of a 106% profit (return over the cost of production) for wheat is misleading, as it only amounts to 25 paise per kilogram.

The SKM has demanded an immediate revision of MSPs for all Rabi crops and wants states to be given full freedom to provide bonuses. They have also called for protests against the new MSP and urged farmers and youth in rural India to burn copies of the recent order on the hike.