Haryana Expands MSP To 24 Crops Amid Farmer Agitation And Demand For Legal Guarantee

The Haryana government, under Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, has officially notified the procurement of 24 crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), amid ongoing farmer agitations in neighbouring Punjab. 

This move marks a significant expansion of the state's MSP coverage ahead of the October assembly polls. These are in addition to the 14 crops already covered under MSP, which include staples such as paddy, wheat, mustard, and sugarcane.

Earlier this year, on 5 August, the Saini-led cabinet decided to add ten additional crops to the MSP list, including ragi, soybean, niger seed, safflower, barley, maize, jowar, jute, copra, and summer moong.

"I am happy to state that in the past ten years, the state government purchased 14 crops at MSP. Now, all crops in Haryana will be bought at MSP by our government,” Saini declared at that time.

The government’s notification aligns with the central MSP policy, although sugarcane continues to be procured under the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) mechanism, which functions similarly to MSP.

However, farmer leaders have expressed scepticism, pointing out that many of the newly added crops, such as ragi, soybean, niger seed, safflower, jute, and copra, are not widely cultivated in Haryana. Additional Chief Secretary Vundru acknowledged this limitation.

Farmer organisations, including the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Chaduni), continue to push for a legal framework guaranteeing MSP for all crops. “Only a law can guarantee that no crop is purchased below MSP,” said Rakesh Bains, a BKU spokesperson.

He criticised past instances where government agencies failed to procure the entire produce, despite MSP announcements, leaving farmers vulnerable to exploitation by private players.

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