Government Offers Five-Year MSP Guarantee Over Crop Diversification, Protesting Farmers To Discuss Proposal Among Themselves

Union Minister Piyush Goyal expressed that late-night talks on Sunday (18 February) with protesting farmers were held in a very good environment and the government's Minimum Support Price (MSP) proposal to farmers is based on the condition of crop diversification.

He said that the government promoted cooperative societies like NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India) and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) will form a contract for the next five years and buy products from the farmers on MSP.

"Those farmers who diversify their crops to these four crops -- tuar dal, urad dal, masoor dal or maize -- will be guaranteed MSP for next five years. There will be no limit on quantity," Goyal said adding that this offer will also be applicable to cotton.

"The farmers' union will tell us their decision by morning. We will also have discussions with NCCF and NAFED after returning to Delhi," Goyal concluded. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said that he will discuss this at their forums and with experts.