100 million ton procurement target, but farmers are worried about ground reality

Bhopal, May 02 (Agency). In Madhya Pradesh, the process of purchasing wheat at the minimum support price (MSP) is ongoing, but for farmers, this process is becoming a misery rather than a relief. So far, about 5 lakh farmers have sold around 20 lakh tons of wheat in the state. The state government has set a target of purchasing 100 lakh tons of wheat. The slot booking date has been extended to May 23, but despite this, the arrangements on the ground are in disarray. Even after the inspection by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the situation is not improving.

The biggest problem in the procurement process is related to slot booking. The slow speed of servers and the internet has increased the difficulties of farmers. In Sehore's Mohari and Khandwa centers, farmers have been waiting for 2-3 days for their turn. Many farmers say they have to stay up for two nights to get a slot, and even then, they get a number. However, Food Minister Govind Singh Rajput said that the problems of farmers are being resolved.

There are constant allegations of corruption at procurement centers. At Dokaria center in Katni, a case of demanding Rs 810 from a woman farmer in the name of portal entry has come to light. In Harda and Dewas, farmers allege that 2-5 kg of wheat is being taken in the name of 'sample' per trolley. Apart from this, money is also being collected in the name of sweeping and weighing. In Dewas, a deduction of up to 1.5 kg is being made in the name of soil and moisture.

In several districts, including Agar Malwa and Dewas, the lack of basic facilities at procurement centers is evident. Despite administrative instructions, there is no arrangement for shade or cold water for farmers. Farmers are forced to sit under the scorching sun under tractor-trolleys. Additionally, at the Marwari center in Katni, procurement has been closed for four days due to the arrival of damaged and torn gunny bags. After procurement, the wheat is not being lifted, leaving the grain exposed to the risk of damage from rain.

Due to delays in procurement and payment, farmers are facing economic crisis. Farmers in Chhatarpur say they are being forced to take loans from moneylenders at 3-5% interest for essential expenses like weddings. Many farmers are selling wheat at a lower price of Rs 400-300 per quintal in the open market instead of the MSP of Rs 2625 per quintal. In several districts, including Neemuch, Ratlam, and Rajgarh, farmers are being forced to wait for 6-6 hours in the sun. At the Namli center in Ratlam, the turn for slot booking is coming after three days.

Farmer leader DP Dhakad said that at many places, farmers are getting slots at centers 40-50 km away, which is increasing their troubles. At many centers, there is a waiting period of 7-8 days. Farmers allege that they are struggling to sell their crops. He said that the farmer who is tolerating the trouble today will show the government what trouble is in the future.

Avtar Jaiswal, a farmer from Kandarvasa in Ratlam, who reached the Namli center, said that after two days, he finally got a turn to sell his wheat. There are many problems, including a lack of seating, shade, and drinking water. There is also a delay in weighing. Similarly, farmer Dheeraj Anjana from Ajaygarh said that he has come to sell wheat for the third time. Despite having the same quality of wheat, sometimes a deduction of up to 1.5 kg is made in the name of moisture and soil, causing financial loss to farmers and leaving them worried.

In Chhatarpur district, untimely rains have exposed the flaws in the procurement arrangements. About 2,000 quintals of wheat were soaked in the open at the Gor Gaon center. Due to the lack of lifting, the grain is getting damaged, and procurement has to be stopped. Apart from this, technical difficulties such as server downtime and OTP issues are also causing trouble for farmers. In Gwalior, a farmer's mobile number was incorrectly registered, due to which his slot booking is not being done.

After the Chief Minister's inspection in Khandwa, some improvement has been seen. The number of weighing scales has been increased, but many tractors are still waiting for their turn. The increased arrival of large farmers is maintaining the pressure. In the state, 80 procurement centers have been set up, but in Satna district, procurement has not started at 18 centers. At the Mohari center, long queues of over 500 tractor-trolleys are waiting.

Overall, amidst the target of purchasing 100 lakh tons of wheat, the disorganization, corruption, and technical flaws at the ground level have increased the troubles of farmers. Farmers are struggling to sell their own crops, which is raising questions about the government's arrangements. Food Minister Govind Singh Rajput said that the duration of wheat procurement has been extended from May 9 to May 23, 2026, in the interest of farmers. The number of weighing scales at each procurement center has been increased from 4 to 6, and districts have been given the authority to increase the number of scales further.